Weather

Closing and Delayed Opening Information

When a weather closing or delayed opening is announced, you may have questions about how the decision impacts particular Goucher College services.

During any weather or emergency situation, even if the campus is open, use your best judgment to ensure safe travel. If you are unable to make it to Goucher safely, contact your professor or supervisor to explain the situation as soon as possible.

Essential employees should report as required; all other employees should follow supervisor guidance. Campus Safety and FMS will be operational.

Weather Updates

Classes

Physical Campus Closed

If a physical campus closure is announced, no face-to-face classes – including evening classes, undergraduate and graduate – take place that day, and most campus services are suspended (see exceptions below). Graduate online courses with scheduled virtual meetings will proceed as normal unless otherwise specified in the closing announcement. In-person classes will either be moved to virtual or cancelled, as will be announced.

Delayed Opening

In a delayed opening scenario, select in-person classes may be cancelled or moved to virtual depending on their start/end time. All other classes will meet starting at the announced opening time (e.g., 9:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m., etc.). Students should report to the class they would normally be in at the opening time, then follow their regular schedule from that point forward.

Example: If campus opens at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday or Thursday, a class normally in session from 8:30–11:20 a.m. will meet from 9:30–11:20 a.m.

Early Dismissal

If an early dismissal is announced, in-person classes are cancelled or moved to virtual for the rest of the day, beginning at the specific time announced. Evening classes will not meet if early dismissal is announced.

Again, graduate online courses with scheduled virtual meetings will proceed as normal unless otherwise specified in the closing announcement.


Campus Services

Administrative Offices

Physical Campus Closed

  • Administrative offices will be closed with only essential employees reporting as required.
  • Managers will notify employees who are designated as essential.
  • All other administrative staff and faculty should work from home.
  • Staff unable to work remotely should contact their supervisor. 

Delayed Opening

  • Administrative offices open at 9:30 a.m. unless otherwise noted
  • Essential employees should report as required
  • Non-essential full-time employees should report at 9:30 a.m.
  • Non-essential part-time employees should report as requested by their supervisor

Early Dismissal

  • Administrative offices close at the time announced and only essential employees remain as required
  • Administrative staff should work from home for the remainder of the workday

Campus Safety

Campus Safety is always operational. Essential staff within Campus Safety will report to work as directed by their supervisor, even during closures and delays.

  • For assistance, call 410-337-6111
  • For emergencies, call 911

Facilities Management Services (FMS)

FMS is operational during all weather events. Essential staff within FMS will report to work as directed by their supervisor. FMS will treat sidewalks, stairs, and roadways, monitor campus conditions, and provide updates as necessary.

Feel free to call or text FMS at 410-337-6166 if you have questions or become aware of specific problems on campus. You can also submit a maintenance request.

Library

The library follows Goucher’s decision regarding closures and delayed openings.

  • Physical Campus Closed: The library is closed
  • Delayed Opening: The library opening will be consistent with the official opening time of campus
  • Early Dismissal: The library will close at the time announced

As the end of a term nears, the library may open with abbreviated hours if it can do so safely. For more information, check the library homepage or contact the library directly.

Dining Services

Physical Campus Closed

  • The Student Market: Closed
  • Mary Fisher Residential Dining: Open with limited hours
    • Monday–Friday: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (lunch) | 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (dinner)
    • Saturday–Sunday: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (lunch) | 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (dinner)

Delayed Opening

  • The Student Market: Will operate as staffing levels permit
  • Mary Fisher Residential Dining: Open as follows
    • Monday–Friday: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (lunch) | 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (dinner)
    • Saturday–Sunday: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (lunch) | 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (dinner)

Early Dismissal

  • The Student Market: Will operate as staffing levels permit
  • Mary Fisher Residential Dining: Open as follows
    • Monday–Friday: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (lunch), will close between 2:15–4:45 p.m., then 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. (dinner)
    • Saturday–Sunday: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (lunch) | 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (dinner)

Residential students should monitor their Goucher email for announcements about changes to dining schedules during severe weather.

Intercollegiate Athletics

In general, home sporting events are cancelled when Goucher is closed. However, in some circumstances, such as when Goucher's opponent has already arrived, the Athletics Department may decide to continue with an event as scheduled.

If the College does not open until 9:30 a.m., all organized athletic practices, meetings, and competitive events are cancelled or may be rescheduled after the opening time.

For more information, visit the Goucher Athletics website or social media channels.

Student Events

Unless otherwise communicated, student events on campus are cancelled when Goucher is closed because of severe weather.


Closing & Delay Notifications

IMPORTANT: The College will only send an alert if there is a change in the regular schedule. If there is no alert, classes are in session as scheduled.

The College announces closings, delays, and early dismissals via:

Decision Timeline

During inclement weather, the College makes every effort to decide by 6:00 a.m. whether the campus will close or open late.

If you do not receive communication by 6:00 a.m., assume the normal operating schedule.

Key Reminders

  • Safety First: Even when campus is open, use your best judgment about traveling in inclement weather.
  • Contact Your Supervisor/Professor: If you cannot make it to campus safely, contact them as soon as possible.
  • Essential Employees: Will be notified by their supervisor if required to report during closures or delays.
  • Online Classes: Continue as scheduled unless otherwise notified, though digital access challenges will be accommodated.
  • Monitor Communications: Check your Goucher email and Goucher.edu website for updates.
  • Student Teaching/Internships: Follow your placement site's schedule, not Goucher's, but prioritize safety.

Questions or Concerns?

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