UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Forecasted sleet, freezing rain and snow have caused Penn State to reschedule final exams that would have been held on Thursday and cancel activities and work at its University Park campus beginning at 4 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, and continuing until 5 a.m. Friday, Dec. 16. Only employees who perform essential services should report during this time. Final exams scheduled for Thursday have been rescheduled for Friday, and a limited number on Saturday.

Final Exams

The University has rescheduled final exams for Friday as well as a limited number for Saturday morning. Additionally, individual instructors may decide to offer an exam asynchronously online and will communicate that decision directly to their students, but there is no University requirement to do so.

All exams will be held in the same location as originally planned, but at the following dates and times:

• Exams scheduled for 8 a.m. Thursday are now scheduled for 12:20 p.m. to 2:10 p.m. Friday
• Exams scheduled for 10:10 a.m. Thursday are now scheduled for 2:30 p.m. to 4:20 p.m. Friday
• Exams scheduled for 12:20 p.m. Thursday are now scheduled for 4:40 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Friday
• Exams scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Thursday are now scheduled for 6:50 p.m. to 8:40 p.m. Friday
• Exams scheduled for 4:40 p.m. Thursday are now scheduled for 9:00 p.m. to 10:50 p.m. Friday
• Exams scheduled for 6:50 p.m. Thursday are now scheduled for 8:00 a.m. to 9:50 a.m. Saturday

More information on rescheduled exams can be found on the University Registrar website.

Given that the rescheduled final exams could interfere with students’ ability to attend commencement ceremonies or their scheduled departure from campus for winter break, the University is asking faculty to be flexible with students who have scheduling conflicts and to work with their students on an individual basis to find solutions.

In addition, students living on campus who have their final exams rescheduled will have their move-out date extended.

On-campus, in-person activities 

Any scheduled in-person activities scheduled between 4 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, and 5 a.m. Friday, Dec. 16, are canceled. Activities beginning at or after 5 a.m. Friday, Dec. 16, will be held as originally scheduled.

The HUB-Robeson Center will remain open on Thursday, however, individuals are advised to use extreme caution if they must visit the HUB during the winter weather.

Employees  

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, except for those employed at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL), 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. ARL will continue to follow ARL internal policies for all weather-related closures.

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

• Those who are currently on campus are dismissed at 4 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 15. These employees will be eligible for Campus Closure Pay for the portion of their shift after 4 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, subject to guideline requirements. 
• Those scheduled to begin work before 5 a.m. Friday, Dec. 16 and end after 5 a.m. Friday, Dec. 16, should report at 5 a.m. Friday, Dec. 16, to complete a partial day. These employees will be eligible for Campus Closure Pay for the portion of their shift prior to 5 a.m. Friday, Dec. 16, subject to guideline requirements.
• Those whose work hours are scheduled to begin and end between 4 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, and 5 a.m. Friday, Dec. 16, should not report. These employees will be eligible for Campus Closure Pay, subject to guideline requirements.
• Those scheduled to report at or after 5 a.m. Friday, Dec. 16, should report as regularly scheduled. 

Additional weather info, ongoing updates 

Every Penn State campus location makes its own decisions regarding the weather, and whether or not to cancel classes, exams and activities, depending on local conditions. Details for each campus will be shared on campus websites as needed.

The decision to reschedule final exams and cancel work and other activities at University Park was determined to be in the best safety interest of the University community. University officials are continuing to monitor conditions and will provide updates as necessary. The most up-to-date information will be shared via Penn State News, Penn State's PSUAlert system, Twitter, and WPSU TV and radio.

All employees and students are encouraged to take responsibility for their own safety. Faculty, staff and students 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 undergrad.psu.edu and in Faculty Senate Policy 42-27 (Class Attendance).