Weather Update

If a Tufts University campus closes due to snow, it will be announced via the following channels. These are the only official sources of a snow-related closing announcement.

If necessary, any additional details about the status of Cummings School and its hospitals and clinics will be posted on this page.

Visit the Tufts Announcements website for further weather-related updates

• By web at the Tufts University homepage
• By email via a message from CampusClosings@tufts.edu
• By X via @TuftsUniversity
• By phone by calling 508-887-4591 for the Grafton campus
• For information about preparing for winter storms, please visit Tufts' Public Safety website

Weather Updates and Campus Closures

Grafton Guidelines for Severe Weather Days (“Snow Days”)

Weather Communications

Weather updates generally focus on snowstorms and other significant weather events. Because Cummings School operates across multiple locations, weather-related decisions may vary by campus.

The following information applies to the Grafton Campus only. Tufts Veterinary Field Service (Woodstock) and Tufts at Tech Community Clinic make their own weather-related operating decisions. Closures for the Medford and Boston campuses are also determined independently. Anyone planning to travel to these locations during a weather event should check their respective operating status.

Weather updates for the Grafton Campus will be communicated through the following channels:

• Email notifications: Notices will be sent to the Grafton, D.V.M. student, and graduate student email lists.
• Website: Updates will be posted on this Weather Updates page.
• Phone message: Recorded updates will be available by calling 508-887-4591.

Individual Travel and Safety Considerations

Weather conditions can vary significantly by location, and members of our community travel to campus from many different areas. Faculty, staff, and students should use their judgment when assessing local conditions and determining whether it is safe to travel.

Faculty and staff who cannot safely get to campus while operations continue should notify their supervisor, hospital or clinic director, and/or department chair as soon as possible.

Campus and Hospital Closures

Weather-related operating changes may include full-day closures, delayed openings, or early closings. Whenever possible, partial-day closures will be coordinated with major shift changes to minimize disruption.

As in previous years, there may be closures affecting the Grafton Campus and/or the hospitals (Foster Hospital for Small Animals and Hospital for Large Animals). However, a campus closure does not necessarily mean the School is closed. Given the current remote and hybrid work environment, many academic and administrative activities will continue, including lecture classes.

Essential personnel only should report on-site when the campus or hospitals are closed. Hospital, clinic, and animal care activities are considered essential operations.

The library will be closed whenever lectures are canceled in advance or the campus is closed.

Work and Academic Activities During Closures

Faculty, staff, and students who are home during a campus or hospital closure are generally expected to continue their work and academic activities. This includes employees who routinely work remotely or in a hybrid arrangement, as well as non-essential employees who are home because of the closure.

We recognize that circumstances such as power outages or childcare responsibilities may prevent some individuals from working during a closure.

Employees whose regular responsibilities cannot be performed remotely because of the nature of their work are encouraged to use the time for continuing education, professional development, or other work-related activities that may be difficult to complete during a regular workday.

Campus Closure Levels and Academic Activities

The following guidelines outline how different academic and campus activities are affected by weather-related operating decisions. While the School will make every effort to communicate closures proactively, decisions are sometimes made early on the day of a storm.

Live Lectures

The Dean, in consultation with the Associate Deans for Professional Education and Graduate Education, will provide advance notification of anticipated severe weather whenever possible, ideally at least 24 hours ahead.

In-person lectures may be canceled in advance to give faculty and staff time to upload course materials to Canvas, reschedule classes if necessary, and prepare for a potential campus closure.

When live lectures are canceled in advance, the library will also be closed for the day. The Grafton Campus will otherwise remain open unless the University or School announces a closure.

Laboratories, Hands-On Sessions, and Exams

Laboratory sessions, hands-on activities, and exams will not be canceled preemptively. However, all laboratory and hands-on sessions will be canceled if the Grafton Campus closes and will need to be rescheduled.

Whenever possible, the School will communicate anticipated closures in advance, ideally at least 24 hours ahead. Delayed openings may also be used to minimize disruptions to laboratory and hands-on activities.

Clinical Rotations

Students should follow established hospital and clinical rotation protocols for weather-related absences.

Although attendance is normally required for clinical rotations, rotation directors may approve absences when students are concerned that traveling to their clinical site would put their safety at risk.

Students rotating at Tufts Veterinary Field Service or Tufts at Tech Community Clinic should contact their rotation director for guidance if instructions have not been posted on the main website or phone line.

Students who cannot travel from their location to participate in a rotation should:

• Review the Clinical Year Absence Policy.
• Submit the clinical absence webform.
• Plan to use personal days for the absence.

Off-Campus Electives, Courses, and Events

Students, faculty, and staff should use their judgment when determining whether it is safe to travel to off-campus electives, courses, and events. Individuals should also follow local weather advisories and guidance.

These guidelines also apply to activities taking place on the Medford and Boston campuses.

Ph.D. On-Campus Research

When the Grafton Campus is closed, Ph.D. students should come to campus only when their research activities are essential and time sensitive.

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