Winter Weather Policies and Procedures

Dear Members of the UMBC Community,

As we enter the winter season, we want to review and update UMBC’s policies and procedures regarding weather-related closures and delays. Please keep in mind that even if it becomes necessary to close the physical campus for inclement weather, online classes will still be held and employees should continue to work remotely. When campus is closed, face-to-face classes will not meet in person. Students may receive additional guidance from their instructors on alternative arrangements.

For the most reliable information, we encourage all members of the campus community to sign up for our E2Campus emergency alert text-messaging system. When winter weather occurs, please visit the UMBC homepage and myUMBC for the latest information on the status of the physical campus.

Campus Closure Procedure

The decision to close or delay opening the campus is determined by many factors, including the type and severity of the forecast conditions; current conditions of campus roads, parking areas, and walkways; and weather and related road conditions in the surrounding area. 

Please note that the decision to close campus or open late applies to the main UMBC campus only. Students, faculty, and staff at other sites are recommended to contact their location directly to receive inclement weather updates:

• Shady Grove Campus – Visit the Universities at Shady Grove campus alerts website.

• bwtech@UMBC – Email crice@umbc.edu to sign up for the bwtech@UMBC text alert system.

• Columbus Center – The Columbus Center follows University of Baltimore policies and procedures during inclement weather, due to its proximity.

If Inclement Weather Occurs

Be sure to use official sources of information, such as E2Campus text alerts, campus email, and the UMBC homepage, for the most complete, accurate, and up-to-date information about any delays or closures. We also strongly recommend you review our inclement weather and emergency closing policy to understand how a delay or closure impacts campus schedules, activities, and events. You can also see UMBC's snow removal plan to learn our process and prioritization for clearing roads, parking areas, and walkways.

We ask that you use personal judgment when traveling to and from campus. Weather and related road conditions are not the same in every area where students, faculty, and staff live. Consequently, the decision as to whether it is safe to travel must ultimately rest with each individual. 

Faculty should arrange a system for communicating with their students should it be necessary to cancel class when the university is open. Employees that are scheduled to work on campus but cannot report due to local road conditions should communicate directly with their supervisor.

We hope that you and your families stay safe, healthy, and warm this winter.

Lynne Schaefer, Vice President, Finance and Administration