Several Graduate Schools Move Instruction and Staff Remote Monday Due to Winter Storm

Several Harvard graduate schools announced they will shift all classes, events, and staff operations to a virtual format on Monday as a major winter storm is expected to bring heavy snowfall to the Greater Boston area.

The move produced a patchwork of responses across the University: while some schools opted to move fully remote, others — like Harvard College — said they would remain open or encouraged flexible work arrangements.

Weather officials warned that the storm, which is expected to end by Monday night, could bring up to 20 inches of snow and make travel dangerous, prompting many Harvard schools to reconsider in-person operations on the first day of the spring semester.

The Harvard Law School, Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard Business School, Harvard Divinity School, Harvard Graduate School of Education, Harvard Extension School, and Harvard School of Public Health were among the schools that opted to move remote.

Several schools — including HLS, HKS, and HDS — also announced that library or cafeteria services would be closed or limited on Monday.

In an email to HLS affiliates, HLS Dean for Administration L. Tracee Whitley cited safety concerns and said faculty may reschedule their Monday class for a later date. All HLS classes will be held on Zoom on Monday.

HKS Executive Dean Joshua G. McIntosh wrote to affiliates that the school’s cafe and mailroom would be closed on Monday, citing cold temperatures and travel difficulties.

FAS Interim Dean of Administration and Finance Mary A. Bradley, however, said that the FAS would not hold classes remotely on Monday, announcing Sunday afternoon that the College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences would remain open.

Some FAS faculty, however, announced to students that their classes would move online. In the email to affiliates, Bradley wrote that faculty should communicate with students directly regarding class changes or cancellations.

Bradley wrote it is expected that “every effort should be made to come to work” for all essential employees, though non-essential workers were advised to work remotely.

Harvard shuttles will remain operational and Harvard University Health Services will only treat urgent cases, according to Bradley’s email.

Less than two miles away from campus, MIT announced its campus would be closed beginning Sunday at 3 p.m. until Monday night, with faculty advised to create alternative plans for classes scheduled for Monday.

Other Ivy League schools had more aggressive responses to the National Weather Service winter storm warning, which also covers Rhode Island and Connecticut.

Yale University encouraged classes to move online, while Brown University canceled all in-person classes scheduled for Monday and closed its administrative and academic offices.

—Staff writer Uy B. Pham can be reached at [email protected] or on Signal at ubp.88. Follow him on X @uybpham.

—Staff writer Sierra R. Pape can be reached at [email protected].