Due to an unexpectedly strong winter storm moving into the Boulder area on Tuesday, Dec. 15, the CU-Boulder campus experienced only the second campus closure during finals in more than a decade.
Throughout the early morning hours, campus leadership was in close contact with weather and public safety officials, assessing whether the campus could open during this vital academic time. As the storm developed, the decision was made to postpone the 7:30 a.m. finals session and assess how the storm and snow removal were progressing throughout the county. At 7:30 a.m. the decision was made to postpone the 10:30 a.m. finals session and delay general opening of the campus until at least 1 p.m.
At 10:30 a.m. campus leadership met to hear a full update on snow removal and the progression of the winter storm, and due to safety concerns, made the decision to close the campus and cancel on-campus final exams for the rest of the day. By canceling the exams, this means that the exams will not be made up through a rescheduled in-person examination on campus, now or later.
For students whose finals were canceled, grades can be based on work-to-date in the course. Faculty may also develop online exams, take-home exams or other take-home assignments to be completed this semester. Faculty may use these other alternatives where possible to replace canceled exams, however, a make-up in-person exam is not an option for any exam canceled on Dec. 15.
As shared in campus messaging via , online exams and assignments will proceed as planned. Other non-digital coursework, papers and projects assigned to be completed during finals and that can be completed should be submitted once campus is open.
For those looking for study and WiFi options, the Norlin Commons will continue to be open 24 hours a day through the final exam period.
Buff buses will continue to be available every 10-12 minutes until midnight. The Norlin Express shuttle will run until 2 a.m.
Housing dining operations in the Center for Community, Village Express, Libby and Sewall will remain open on a regular schedule.
Final exams are expected to happen as scheduled on Wednesday, Dec. 16. All campus efforts are directed toward a normal schedule on Wednesday, and all affected parties (students, staff and faculty) should plan for possible extended commute times and winter weather driving.
The campus will issue an update on opening status via . If there is a significant change for the worse, a CU-Boulder Alert notification of a delayed opening or closure will be sent by 5:30 a.m. tomorrow.
