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Eastern Closed Monday, January 26

Winter Storm Update


Dear Campus Community,

Due to the anticipated impact of a significant winter storm, Eastern Connecticut State University will be closed on Monday, January 26, 2026. No classes will be held.

This notice is being provided in advance to allow students and employees the opportunity to make preparations, including decisions about traveling home for the weekend, ahead of the expected weather conditions. We are communicating early out of an abundance of caution and with the safety of our campus community in mind.

While the University will be closed for classes, campus operations will continue, and essential services and support will remain available to those who are on campus or in need of assistance.

Parking Ban Information

Due to anticipated weather conditions, a campus-wide parking ban will go into effect at noon on January 24, 2026.

Parking Ban Details

Start Time: Noon on Saturday, January 24, 2026

Parking Restrictions

Who May Park in Garages:

  • Only vehicles with an Eastern parking permit may park in campus parking garages during the ban.

Authorized Garage Locations (Floors 1–3 only):

  • Shakespeare Garage
  • Cervantes Garage

Restricted Areas:

  • No parking in open-air lots
  • No parking on the 4th floor of any parking garage (to allow for snow removal)

Overflow Parking

If both garages reach capacity, vehicles should park in the Mansfield Sports Complex Lot.

Important Local Information

City of Willimantic Parking Ban:

Stay informed through social media, local news outlets (WFSB, NBC CT 30, FOX61), and radio (98.3 WILI-FM) for citywide parking ban updates.

Windham Technical High School:

Parking in the Windham Technical High School lot is strictly prohibited. Vehicles parked there will be towed at the owner’s expense.

Thank you for your cooperation. Please use caution and stay safe.

Campus Operations & Services

Below are operational details specific to this closure.

Student Center & Sports Complex

Status: Closed Sunday 1/25 and Monday 1/26
Hours: Closed All Day

Library

Status: Closed Sunday 1/25 and Monday 1/26
Hours: Closed All Day

Dining Services

Hurley Hall

Hurley Hall will operate on normal weekend hours throughout the closure:

  • Brunch: 10:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
  • Dinner: 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

This schedule applies to Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, January 26.

Food Court (Student Center)
  • Saturday: Open 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • Sunday & Monday: Closed
Shawn’s Cupboard

Shawn’s Cupboard will be open today, Friday, January 23, and will be closed on Monday, January 26.

Essential Operations

Essential services—including University Police, Facilities, Residence Life, and designated staff—will continue operations during the closure. Residential students and others remaining on campus will have access to support as needed.

Information for Residential Students

As this closure extends through the weekend and into Monday, residential students who are able to safely travel home are encouraged to consider doing so, particularly given the anticipated severity of the storm. This advance notice is intended to help students make the choice that is best for their individual circumstances.

Students who choose to remain on campus during the weekend and University closure are encouraged to plan ahead.

  • Food Preparation:
    While Hurley Hall will remain open, students who stay on campus should ensure they have food available in their living space. Weather conditions may limit the ability or desire to travel outside, and the University cannot guarantee that local food businesses will be open or offering delivery services during portions of the storm.
  • Residence Hall Desk Staffing:
    Residence hall front desks will be staffed during the following hours:
    • Saturday: 7:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.
    • Sunday: 7:00 p.m. – Midnight
    • Monday: 11:00 a.m. – Midnight
  • Heating & Building Operations:
    To help ensure campus heating systems operate properly during extreme cold, students remaining on campus are asked to keep residence hall windows closed throughout the storm.
  • Power Outage Preparedness:
    In the event of a power outage, the following residence halls are equipped with emergency generators:
    • Constitution
    • Laurel
    • Mead
    • Niejadlik
    • Nutmeg
    • Shafer

If a residence hall without generator support loses power, Residence Life staff will provide direction and assistance, including relocation to designated evacuation or warming locations as needed.

Residential students should continue to follow guidance from Residence Life and University officials and are encouraged to reach out for assistance if needed.

Stay Informed

Updates will be shared through:

Please continue to monitor University communications for any additional updates.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we prepare for this weather event. Please take care and stay safe.