In the event that weather or other emergency conditions warrant the early closing, all-day closing or delayed opening of Towson University, an announcement will be made through the following communication channels: 

Such schedule adjustments will also be available on the Towson University Information Line: 410-704-2000. Please DO NOT call the Office of Public Safety with university closing-related questions. The university will not post an announcement that the university is open. No announcement means “business as usual.”

Main Campus Closure

When the main campus is closed, all events (including those sponsored by off-campus organizations) are canceled. The Division of University Marketing & Communications will not make announcements about individual department or program activities.

Towson University announcements of delayed opening or closure apply to the main campus, as well as the Institute for Well-Being, 7400 York Road, 401 Washington and the StarTUp at the Armory.

Cook Library 

Cook Library closes when the campus is closed. When there is a late opening or early closing for the entire campus, Cook Library opens late or closes early using the same schedule as TU. 

The library’s main floor is open 24/7 regardless of campus closures, however, and it is available to all current TU faculty, staff and students. To access this space, affiliates need to swipe their OneCards at the reader next to the right-most outer lobby door of the library. Information about the library’s schedule is posted on the library’s Hours page, Twitter account and Facebook page.

Campus Recreation in Burdick Hall 

When the campus has a delayed opening, Campus Recreation will open one hour after school opens.

Dining 

During inclement weather Dining Services focuses on opening the dining halls first, then retail locations. Projected opening times are below. These are subject to change based on the severity of the storm.

If TU is closed:

  • ALL DINING HALLS – open at usual time with limited service, full service ASAP
  • Dunkin' – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Einstein Bros. Bagels – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Chick-fil-A – 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Newell Den, Piadina, & West Village Market – noon to 8 p.m.
  • All other locations closed

For a 10 a.m. opening:

  • ALL DINING HALLS – open at usual time with limited service, full service ASAP
  • Dunkin' and Einstein Bros. Bagels – soft opening by 9 a.m., full service ASAP
  • All other retail locations (Newell Den, Piadina Trattoria, Panda Express, C-Stores) – 10 a.m. or normal opening time
  • Satellite and stand-alone retail locations (Starbucks, Au Bon Pain, Arts Cafe, LA Cafe, Science Cafe, 7720 Cafe) – 10 a.m. or normal opening time

For a noon opening:

  • ALL DINING HALLS – open at usual time with limited service, full service ASAP
  • Dunkin' and Einstein Bros. Bagels – soft opening by 10 a.m., full service ASAP
  • All other retail locations (Newell Den, Piadina Trattoria, Panda Express, C-Stores) – 11 a.m. or normal opening time
  • Satellite and stand-alone retail locations (Starbucks, Au Bon Pain, Arts Cafe, LA Cafe, Science Cafe, 7720 Cafe) – 11 a.m. or normal opening time

For an early closing:

  • Dining hours will be decided on a location-by-location basis. 

Parking

In order to properly clear and treat parking in garages, it may be necessary to close parking on garage roofs.  Please follow the direction of campus notifications and posted signs and use alternate parking as indicated.

Ample parking is available on lower levels of garages. Please ensure you are parked in a space where your permit is valid and that you do not park your vehicle in closed areas. 

Residents

  • If space is available in a covered resident area, park in those areas first
  • If no space is available in covered resident areas, you may park in overflow and commuter spaces during the inclement weather. Residents will not be ticketed in these other areas during a period of inclement weather. Do NOT park in faculty/staff or visitor spaces.
  • Vehicles must be returned to their regularly assigned areas within 24 hours of the official reopening of campus.  

Transportation

  • No shuttles, including ParaTransit and SafeRide, will operate when the campus is closed.
  • If the campus is open, riders should expect delays in service and plan accordingly.
  • Please monitor the TU Tiger Ride website and TURide mobile app for the latest updates regarding service.
  • If the campus opens late, shuttles will begin running one hour prior to the planned delayed opening time, as long as it is safe to operate.
  • If the campus closes early, shuttles will run for one hour after the official closure time, as long as it is safe to continue operating.

Transportation Information for Individuals with Disabilities

Individuals with disabilities should put their safety first when determining whether to travel to, from and around campus in inclement weather. Students, faculty and staff with disabilities who need travel assistance on campus are encouraged to use Paratransit and to call 410-704-RIDE to confirm service availability.

Please note that when TU is closed due to weather or emergency conditions, transportation services will be suspended. If there is an emergency or urgent need, please call the Office of Public Safety at 410-704-4444 for assistance with transportation on campus. Requesters should stay in a safe, indoor location until transportation arrives.

Shuttle Stops During Inclement Weather

For inclement weather days when shuttles are running, the following stops will be relocated as indicated. Please monitor TUTIGERRIDE.com or TURIDE app as alternative stops may be subject to change due to road conditions.

Kenilworth

  • Stop #19 Kenilworth at Charles Apartments: Pick up and drop off will be on Kenilworth Avenue at the east end of Donnington Circle
  • Stop #48 Kenilworth at The Hills: Pick up and drop off will be on Kenilworth Avenue curbside.   

Lake-Walker  

  • Stop #73: Use Stop #99, York Road at Lake Avenue.
  • Stops #74 and #55: Use Stop #100, Northwood Drive.

Snow & Ice Removal

Facilities crews work around the clock to maintain campus walkways during inclement weather. To report an icy sidewalk or area that needs to be plowed, call 410-704-2481.

Off-Campus Closure

Off-campus programs and courses — TU in Northeastern Maryland (TUNE), for example — adhere to the announcement of the off-campus facility.

FAQs About Closing

Q: What factors are considered when determining a closure?
The decision on whether to close or adjust campus operations focuses on the current and projected physical conditions of the campus and surrounding area that are impacted by an adverse weather event. The objective is to ensure the safety of our TU campus community.

Q: Who decides to close the campus or to cancel or delay classes?
A: The evening before or in the early morning hours of an anticipated or actual adverse weather event, TU’s senior vice president for campus operations consults with the Office of Public Safety and the Office of Facilities Management. At that time, they discuss current weather conditions, the forecast, the current and anticipated condition of the campus and the known road conditions for primary thoroughfares leading to campus. They deliberate with the information they have available and then make a recommendation to the executive team. Every effort is made to make a final decision and communicate decisions that impact campus operations quickly.

Q: How is the campus community informed about the decision?
Upon being informed of the executive team's decision regarding a campus closure or delay, the Division of University Marketing & Communications begins a process of informing students, faculty and staff through email, text alert, website updates, social media posts and outreach to external media. Voice recordings are updated at 410-704-NEWS. Emergency text alerts are sent to all students, faculty and staff, who are automatically enrolled in the alerts. Parents, community members and other non-affiliated individuals are also encouraged to register to receive emergency text alerts.

Announcements are issued only when normal operations must be disrupted or suspended. If you don’t hear an announcement, it’s safe to assume the campus is open.

Q: If classes are not canceled, but I feel it’s unsafe for me to travel, will my instructors excuse my absence?
A: The university has no official policy on attendance if classes are not canceled. The decision whether to travel is always yours. Many instructors will be flexible. It’s best to ask your instructor for his/her approach so you’re aware of it before a storm hits.

Q: What happens if the university opens in the middle of one of my classes (ie: if the university opens at noon and my class ends at 12:15 p.m.)?
A: Students should report to campus if they have 50 or more minutes left in a class. Individual faculty have discretion to modify delivery format of the course when the weather is inclement.

Q: Does TU ever issue announcements that the campus is open?
A: No. Announcements are issued only when normal operations must be disrupted or suspended. If you don’t hear an announcement, it’s safe to assume the campus is open.

Q: What if an emergency occurs during the day?
A: The same notification process is executed as with overnight emergencies.

Q: Will scheduled events take place if TU is closed?
A: NCAA athletic events may proceed as scheduled, provided the university can ensure a safe environment for players and spectators. (Announcements regarding NCAA events are distributed through the same channels as other TU closing advisories.) All other events, regardless of sponsor, are canceled.

Q: Will TU issue announcements about individual department or program activities?
A: No. Departments should set up their own systems of communication, either through recorded announcements or telephone calls.

Q: Is there a telephone number I can call for the latest information?
A: Call 410-704-2000 or 410-704-NEWS for recorded updates. Please DO NOT call the University Police.

Q. What if I work or take classes at an off-campus facility that is affiliated with TU?
A. Off-campus programs and courses (at TU in Northeastern Maryland (TUNE), for example) adhere to the announcements of the off-campus facility. TU’s announcements apply only to the main campus, including 7400 York Road, 401 Washington and the StarTUp at the Armory.

Q: Should some employees report to work when TU is closed?
A: Emergency essential personnel should report to work. Talk to your supervisor to see if this policy affects you.

Information for Faculty and Staff

In the event of campus closure, nonessential personnel should not report to work without the approval of their vice president. Supervisors/managers of employees who still report to work have the authority to tell the employee to go home.

Regardless of campus closure, emergency essential personnel are required to report for work. Emergency essential personnel are vital to the operation of the facility, whose absence from duty could endanger the safety and well-being of the campus population and/or physical plant.

Employees identified as sustainable operations personnel must also report to work as directed by their supervisors/managers. Sustainable operations personnel are designated as vital to the operations of their division/department. The functions and level of operations to be sustained are determined by department heads.

For information about leave, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 410-704-2162.

Last updated 9/24/24.