Inclement Weather

Inclement Weather Guidance for the 2020-21 Academic Year

Because we are working and learning differently than in years past, expectations during inclement weather for the 2020-21 academic year have changed. Please review the memo to campus with guidance for those working and learning both on campus and remotely.

Where can I find information about university closures due to inclement weather?

Updates regarding UMD’s closed status, as well as other schedule changes, will be announced through various channels, including:

UMD homepage (www.umd.edu)
Twitter (@President_Pines, @UMDRightNow and @UofMaryland)
Facebook (facebook.com/UnivofMaryland)
UMD Alerts (sign up for text alerts at https://alert.umd.edu/)
UMD Snowline (x5-SNOW or 301-405-7669)
Local news outlets via the web, TV and radio

How does the university decide when to close the university for inclement weather?

The university may open late or close the campus in the event that inclement weather conditions pose a serious threat to the health and safety of the university community. A variety of factors are taken into consideration, including access to public transportation and Metro, the status of campus roads and sidewalks, and conditions on roads and sidewalks off campus and across the region.

What offices and departments close?

When the university is closed, all classes during that time are canceled and all university offices and non-essential services are closed, unless specifically noted in the campus closure communication. The closing may not apply to essential employees. Those employees should contact their supervisor or department head for instructions. Essential services will still be provided to on-campus residents.

How are student services affected when the university is closed?

University students living on campus should check the Resident Life website at http://reslife.umd.edu/ for the latest resident updates during inclement weather. Information for frequently requested services include:

If my class falls partially during a period when the university is closed, will it still be held?

Classes scheduled while the university is closed are cancelled. In the case of a late opening or early closing, students are expected to report to their classes for any period of time that the university is open.
For example, if a class runs from 9:30 – 10:45 a.m. and the university is opening late at 10 a.m., students will be expected to attend that class for its remaining time, from 10:00 – 10:45 a.m

Are athletic events cancelled when the university is closed?

Please check http://www.umterps.com for the status of athletic events.

Are performances at The Clarice cancelled when the university is closed?

Please check http://theclarice.umd.edu for the status of events at The Clarice.

Does the university’s closure only apply to College Park?

When the university makes a decision on its open or closed status, the university notifies other campuses who may also be affected by inclement weather, such as the Universities at Shady Grove and the University of Maryland University College. It is up to those institutions to determine their open or closed status and notify their students, faculty and staff.

About

The University of Maryland, College Park is the state's flagship university and one of the nation's preeminent public research universities. A global leader in research, entrepreneurship and innovation, the university is home to more than 40,700 students, 14,000 faculty and staff, and 388,000 alumni all dedicated to the pursuit of Fearless Ideas. Located just outside Washington, D.C., we discover and share new knowledge every day through our renowned research enterprise and programs in academics, the arts and athletics. And we are committed to social entrepreneurship as the nation’s first “Do Good” campus.

Academics

Spanning 12 schools and colleges, Maryland offers more than 300 degree-granting programs, many of them ranked among the best in the country. Our faculty includes two Nobel laureates, three Pulitzer Prize winners, 58 members of the national academies and scores of Fulbright scholars. And our students, who include the highest achievers in the state and nation, enjoy experiences unique to our location just outside the nation’s capital, including internships, research, and leadership and service opportunities.

Research and Innovation

The University of Maryland is one of the world’s premier research institutions. With our strategic location and scores of partnerships with government and businesses, UMD conducts groundbreaking research on some of the biggest challenges facing our global community, including cybersecurity and terrorism, bioengineering, public health equity, food safety and climate change. We strive to discover new knowledge and put it to work through innovation and entrepreneurship, advancing economic development and transforming lives.

The newly launched Innovation Gateway will guide you to the resources, programs, partners, and spaces you need to activate and scale your fearless ideas into innovations that launch new ventures, catalyze growth, and advance economic development.

Arts

At the University of Maryland, the arts, the humanities and the sciences intersect to address important societal issues and shed new light on the human experience. Our vibrant campus arts community collaborates with local and national cultural organizations such as the Phillips Collection, Kennedy Center and Folger Shakespeare Library. Student and faculty artists, designers, historians, writers and performers are exploring new media, presenting new perspectives, investigating new techniques and engaging new audiences.

Athletics

Home of the Terrapins, the University of Maryland has one of the nation’s most recognizable and successful athletics programs. More than 550 student-athletes compete each year in 20 intercollegiate sports—12 for women and eight for men. Since 2005 alone, Maryland has won 19 national championships, including NCAA titles in women’s basketball, men’s soccer, men's lacrosse, women’s lacrosse, and field hockey. Since joining the Big Ten Conference in 2014, UMD has won a combined 32 regular season and tournament championships. Fear the Turtle!

Student Life

The Terp experience extends beyond classrooms, labs and studios. It encompasses residence halls and dining halls, clubs and sports, fraternities and sororities, campus events and performances, and countless off-campus destinations. Maryland touts 800-plus student organizations, dozens of prestigious living and learning communities, and countless other ways to get involved. Students here can create a unique identity and grow as individuals, even as they’re part of a close-knit and diverse community.

Inclement Weather