As a commuter campus, Penn State Fayette has established a protocol to prevent student travel to campus when classes are canceled or when they'll run on a compressed schedule.

In the event of snow or ice, the Chancellor will consult with the Director of Finance and Business before making any decisions about the status of the campus. Because you pay tuition for courses, the campus typically remains open unless the main roads are impassable. Please note that closures or delays will be rare and are not tied to the decisions made by local school districts.

Potential Weather Accommodations

In cases of inclement weather, one of three options will be implemented:

  1. Classes/business running as usual.
  2. Classes start at 10:00 a..m. with classes running on the compressed weather schedule (compressed class schedule listed below).
  3. Campus closure (essential personnel only)

Compressed Class Schedule

Regular Meeting Time
 Compressed Schedule Time
The following table shows the campus weather compressed class schedule.
8:00  to 8:50 a.m.
10:00  to 10:45 a.m.
8:00 to 9:15 a.m.
10:00 to 11:00 a.m.
8:00 to 9:55 a.m.
10:00 to 11:35 a.m.
8:00 to 11:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m. to 12:25 p.m.
8:00 a.m. to Noon
10:00 a.m. to 1:05 p.m.
9:00 to 10:55 a.m.
10:50 a.m. to 12:25 p.m.
9:05 to 9:55 a.m.
10:50 to 11:35 a.m.
9:05 to 10:20 a.m.
10:50 to 11:55 a.m.
9:05 to 11:50 a.m.
10:50 a.m. to 1:05 p.m.
10:10 to 11:00 a.m.
11:40 a.m. to 12:25 p.m.
10:10 a.m. to 12:05 p.m.
11:40 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
10:35 to 11:25 a.m.  Noon to 12:45 p.m.
10:35 to 11:50 a.m. Noon to 1:05 p.m.
11:15 a.m. to 12:05 p.m. 12:30 to 1:15 p.m.
12:05 to 1:20 p.m.
1:10 to 1:45 p.m.
12:15 to 1:15 p.m. (Common Hour)
1:15 to 1:40 p.m. (Common Hour)
12:20 to 1:10 p.m.
1:20 to 1:45 p.m.
1:25 to 2:15 p.m.
1:50 to 2:35 p.m.
1:25 to 3:20 p.m.
1:50 to 3:25 p.m.
1:25 to 5:25 p.m.
1:50 to 5:25 p.m.
1:35 to 2:50 p.m.
1:55 to 3:00 p.m.
1:35 to 4:20 p.m.
1:55 to 4:20 p.m.
2:30 to 3:20 p.m.
2:40 to 3:25 p.m.
2:30 to 3:45 p.m.
 2:40 to 3:45 p.m.
2:30 to 5:15 p.m. 2:40 to 5:15 p.m.
2:30 to 5:30 p.m. 2:40 to 5:30 p.m.

Classes with a start time after 3:00 p.m. will meet at regular meeting times.

Faculty will notify students via e-mail of any additional changes for their particular class(es).

Note: If you have a course that begins at a time NOT listed on this schedule, please verify directly with your instructor how the delay will be handled.

In the event of snow, severe storms, or other emergencies, information about the status of the campus can be obtained in several ways:

  • Televison (KDKA-TV; WTAE-TV; WPXI-TV) or the Internet (WTAE, WPXI, and KDKA).
  • The front page of the Penn State Fayette website fayette.psu.edu.
  • PSUAlert, which provides updates via text message and/or email. To receive PSUAlert messages for Fayette, go to psualert.psu.edu/psualert/ and follow the instructions to subscribe.
  • Penn State Email.

FAQs

  • Q. Why doesn’t the campus follow the schedule of  local school districts when they announce delays and closures?
    A. Area schools have the ability to make up lost days. As an institution of higher education, our curriculum is supported by direct tuition; hence, cancelling classes eliminates the class time for which you have paid.
  • Q. What happens if, during final exams week, weather causes the closing of the campus or the postponement of a scheduled final exam?
    A. Make-up exams will be given on Friday of final exams week. Students should plan accordingly. Rescheduled final exams will be posted as soon as possible on the Penn State Fayette web site.
  • Q. If the campus is open, am I required to come to class?
    A. If roads are passable, the campus will remain open and classes will be conducted, but you must decide whether you are comfortable driving to campus. If you do not make it to class, it is important for you to contact your professor as soon as possible to let him or her know why you were not in attendance. Ultimately, it is up to each professor to determine how to handle these types of absences.
  • Q. Why isn’t the campus automatically closed if the news is reporting hazardous road conditions?
    A. We view and listen to the expected weather, but we depend heavily on firsthand reports of road conditions received through PennDOT and local municipality officials to determine whether the roads are passable.
  • Q. If the start of classes is delayed, how do I know which class to attend and when?
    A. If the start of classes is delayed, classes will begin at 10:00 am and will run according to the compressed schedule illustrated above:
  • Q. Are day and evening classes treated differently?
    A. Yes. It is possible to have any portion of the schedule cancelled. Since weather can be unpredictable at times, conditions may become severe at any point in the day. Therefore, it is possible to have morning classes, but have the campus close mid-afternoon or evening.
  • Q. If my class is cancelled, will it be made up?
    A. Yes. Some instructors may attempt to set a make-up session when students are available, many will put content on Canvas, and others will accommodate the weather cancellation in other ways. The form of make-up will depend on the nature of the class and be decided by the instructor.
  • Q. Why aren’t the sidewalks and roadways on campus always clear?
    A. If the snow is occurring during the day, it is sometimes impossible to keep the sidewalks clear at all times. The maintenance crew will keep them as clear as possible. Please note, at times, the temperatures are low enough that salt will not melt the snow and ice, so it is important that everyone use caution when walking across the campus. All campus members are reminded to be very careful when walking about the campus during inclement weather situations.
  • Q. Do delays and cancellations pertain to Continuing Education Courses?
    A. Yes. Delays and closings affect all campus activities.