Campus Life

Safety precautions urged as bitterly cold wind chills reach region Wednesday

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — With the National Weather Service issuing a cold weather advisory until noon Wednesday (Jan. 22) for Penn State's University Park campus, warning wind chills could drop temperatures to as low as 15 degrees below zero, the University Park campus community is advised to take precautions to stay warm and safe.   

All classes and scheduled events at University Park will continue as planned Wednesday with no delays. Conditions may differ at the Commonwealth Campuses, and any necessary delays and closures will be communicated to those campus communities via each campus’ PSUAlert system. Milder conditions are expected to return Thursday at University Park with a high near 27 degrees. 

Due to the possibility of frostbite on exposed skin and the dangers of hypothermia, faculty, staff and students are urged to stay indoors when possible, dress appropriately in layers, and wear a hat and gloves at all times when outdoors being sure to avoid any unnecessary skin exposure. Additional information on how to stay safe during extreme cold weather can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.    

The Office of Physical Plant (OPP) is preparing for the extreme cold by having personnel ready to address any building-related emergencies caused by the frigid temperatures, such as broken water lines. Faculty, staff and students are asked to immediately report any building-related problems to the OPP Work Reception Center, which is staffed 24/7 and can dispatch response crews, by calling 814-865-4731. 

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). Students should coordinate with their instructors any time they have to miss class. 

Individuals can stay informed about the status of activities at University Park via Penn State’s PSUAlert system and WPSU-FM (learn how to listen in your area at this link). 

Last Updated January 21, 2025