Villanova University intends to maintain its regularly scheduled classes and final examination periods, avoiding school closings due to inclement weather whenever possible. A delayed opening is preferable to closing for an entire day. In deciding whether to close or delay opening, several factors are considered: the character of the storm (onset time, intensity, and duration); the condition of travel routes to the University; and the condition of campus roads and walkways.

Policy:

If weather factors are unfavorable and not expected to improve, classes normally will be cancelled for the day. If there is a good chance that conditions will be acceptable by mid-morning, however, the opening of school will be delayed. In such delayed opening circumstances, the first class will be cancelled on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and the school day will begin with the second regularly scheduled class at 10:00 A.M. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, the first two classes will be cancelled, and the school day will begin with the third regularly scheduled class at 10:30 A.M. Occasionally, classes in the later afternoon and evening are cancelled when bad weather conditions develop during the day. The College of Nursing has a special procedure for the closing of its clinical practicum courses; the procedure may be obtained from the College of Nursing. All other Nursing courses are subject to the standard University schedule, above.

During final examination week, a delayed opening means that the first exam of the day is cancelled. It will be rescheduled in an appropriate manner. If weather conditions make it impossible for a student to come to campus for an exam, s/he should contact the professor to explain the situation and to schedule a make-up examination.

Because students come from various locations and distances, some of which may be more seriously affected by adverse weather than others, students must, as always, exercise their judgment on whether or not it is safe to drive to the University

Procedure:

The announcement concerning closing or delayed opening normally is made on the University snow and emergency number (610-519-4505), the Law School snow and emergency number (610-519-7744), the voice mailboxes of University telephones, and KYW Radio (AM 1060) by 6:30 A.M. In the case of an announced delayed opening, if the situation should worsen and if a subsequent decision is made to cancel classes and close the University, a closing announcement normally would be made by 8:30 A.M. Villanova faculty, staff and students are therefore advised to recheck the announcements until 8:30 A.M., prior to departing for school.

Evening class closure announcements will be made in the same manner, normally prior to 2:00 P.M. University offices are notified via a telephone message chain.

When announcing closings and delayed openings, radio station KYW does not mention school names, using instead a number identification system. Villanova's identification numbers on KYW are:

Information for Friday evening and Saturday Class Cancellation or Postponement of Classes

Classes and workshops on Friday evening and Saturday will be held as scheduled unless the instructor has notified the students otherwise.