In the event of significant inclement weather conditions, campus administrators may decide to delay or cancel classes or close the campus. Administrators will review all the variables and information available, including the weather forecast and current conditions, before making a decision and will provide updates to the college community as necessary. Please see the guidelines below for various circumstances.

Emergency Weather Communications

The most up-to-date information on weather emergencies and resulting delays, cancellations and closures is communicated via Penn State's PSUAlert system, which provides a text message, phone call and email to those who subscribe. Emergency weather information is also listed at the top of the college's website and typically communicated through the college's official social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram.

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All students, faculty and staff are encouraged to take responsibility for their own safety and should use their own best judgment when considering traveling to campus or the need to leave early during times of inclement weather. Faculty and staff should review Handling Weather Day Absences (Human Resources Guideline 10) for specific information on how time missed for weather situations is handled. Union-represented employees should reference their collective bargaining agreements. Information on class attendance policies is available at E-11: Class Attendance and in Faculty Senate Policy 42-27 (Class Attendance - Scroll linked page to see policy).

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Delayed Class Schedule

Following a delay, classes will follow a delayed class schedule. For example, if there is a delay with classes beginning at 9:30 a.m., students would attend their regularly scheduled 8 a.m. class at 9:30 a.m. Classes are condensed, common hour is cancelled; there is no delay for afternoon and evening classes.

Delayed class schedule

Campus offices will open at the same time the first class of the day begins. All commuters should park in the parking lots that have been cleared of snow.

Any in-person activities that are scheduled to begin during a delayed campus opening are canceled. Activities beginning at or after the announced time for resuming campus operations will be held as originally scheduled.

Cancellation of Classes

Classes may be cancelled for the morning, afternoon, and/or evening. There will not be a delayed class schedule when classes are cancelled. For example, if morning classes are cancelled, students will resume their normal afternoon or evening class schedule.

Campus Closures

Students who do not live on campus, faculty, and staff should not travel to campus during a campus closure to allow the maintenance and operations staff to remove snow, treat surfaces, and — most importantly — for their own personal safety.

Essential staff must report as scheduled during a delay or closure. Essential staff are those staff members who are required to maintain campus operations even during extreme weather and other special conditions. Essential Staff are notified of their status in advance.

The closing announcement will include the campus re-open time (i.e. 5:00 p.m. that same day, 6:00 a.m. the following morning.)

When the campus re-opens, all are encouraged to park in the lots that have been cleared of snow. OVERNIGHT PARKING IS NOT PERMITTED IN NON-RESIDENTIAL LOTS DURING SNOW STORMS.

Course Cancellations for Faculty

Faculty, if you must cancel individual classes, please leave a message about class cancellations on your voicemail, Canvas, course website, email list-serv or any other medium accessible by your students. Faculty should also call or email their division assistant about class cancellations:

To communicate class cancellations in the evening hours, contact Lanie Brunk at 610-396-6145 or laniebrunk@psu.edu.

Staff Guidelines for Inclement Weather

Employees who perform “essential” services: Employees who are required to report to campus for work and have been previously identified as performing duties essential to maintaining operations should report to campus as directed. During such events, employees who are required to report to campus for work are eligible for Campus Closure Compensatory Time, subject to guideline provisions. Employees should clarify their status as essential or nonessential with their supervisor before inclement weather strikes.

All other employees should not report to work until the resumption of normal campus operations and are eligible for Campus Closure Pay per university policy. Employees should review the “official closedowns” section of the University’s Handling Weather Day Absences policy (Human Resources Guideline 10) for specific information on how time missed for weather situations is handled.

Employees who have questions about a campus closure should contact their unit’s Human Resources consultant.

Critical Services

When the campus is closed due to inclement weather, the college continues to provide critical services to the students who live on campus, including housing and food. Note: If normal hours of operation of on-campus dining facilities change, residential students will be notified directly by Housing and Food Services.

Police Services and other emergency services also remain operational around the clock, regardless of the weather. The safety of the Penn State Berks community remains a priority, and everyone is urged to use extra caution during inclement weather.

Information on Athletic Events

For the most accurate information regarding athletic events, visit the Penn State Berks Athletics website.