Emergency Status

Tuesday, January 27, 2026

ALL LOCATIONS: Due to inclement weather, all Saint Joseph’s University locations (Hawk Hill, University City and Lancaster) will transition to a virtual work and learn day on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. 

Faculty/Students: 

• Classes will not meet in-person.  Faculty will determine which virtual option will best meet instructional goals for each class — synchronous or asynchronous — and will be responsible for communicating through Canvas to students. 

Clinical Education: 

• For SJU Lancaster clinical education, please read the procedure for a Virtual Learn Day – explained below.
• For clinical education in the School of Health Professions, including Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, follow your respective program’s policies and procedures.

Employees: 

• Please read the procedure for a Virtual Work Day – explained below. 

Service Availability

Due to inclement weather, the following services and facilities are affected: 

• The Ann C. and Emmett M. Cooper, MD Building at SJU’s Lancaster location will be closed.
• Visit sju.edu/library for library hours and information.
• Details regarding athletics competitions will be posted at sjuhawks.com and athletics’ social media channels. Student-athletes will receive information directly from athletics regarding the availability of facilities.
• Recreation updates will be provided via social media @sjuhawks_rec.
• Dining updates will be provided via the dining website.

Definitions/Procedures

Virtual Learn Day

• Classes will not meet in-person. Faculty will determine which virtual option will best meet instructional goals for each class — synchronous or asynchronous — and will be responsible for communicating through Canvas to students.
• Students scheduled for clinical experiences off-site will receive direct communications from their faculty regarding how these experiences will be managed.

Virtual Work Day

• Wherever possible, office employees will work remotely to maintain the University’s “open” status for the day. Employees who are normally scheduled to work will continue to receive pay for their regularly scheduled hours, regardless of their ability to complete all duties through telework. This does not include essential employees.
• Departments responsible for campus safety, maintenance of campus grounds, IT and scientific laboratories may require employees to report to campus. Supervisors are responsible for communicating weather emergency protocols directly with their staff.
• Supervisors are encouraged to make plans now and communicate those expectations with employees.
• Employees should refer to the Staff and Administrative Handbooks for further details on emergency closures.

Other Services and Departments

• University- provided shuttle services will continue until it is determined that it is no longer safe to proceed. For more information about shuttle service during inclement weather, contact Public Safety at 610-660-1111 (Hawk Hill) or 215-895-1117 (University City). Announcements of changes to the shuttle service are available through the Ride Systems App and SJU Mobile.
• Details regarding athletics competitions will be posted at sjuhawks.com and athletics' social media channels. Student-athletes will receive information directly from athletics regarding facilities availability.
• Recreation updates will be provided via social media @sjuhawks_rec.
• Post Learning Commons and the Drexel Library operations are available on the library website.

• Travel in groups and in well-lit areas when walking off campus
• Do not display items of value unnecessarily in public spaces, for example, mobile phones
• Do not leave items of value unattended in public spaces
• Use University Shuttle Buses and Escort Services
• Lock doors and secure windows when leaving your room or off campus residence
• Do not prop open doors
• Report suspicious activities and unsafe conditions to Public Safety (610-660-1111)
• Do not leave valuables in plain view within your vehicle

Emergency preparedness resources, including active shooter guidelines, are available on The Nest under School Services. More resources are available through SJU Safe, the University’s custom safety app.