Information for students
The university can experience snow and other disrupting weather but will make every effort to remain open and keep classes in session.
As a general rule, if the BC Transit bus system is operating and buses are travelling to and from the university, the university will remain open. UVic only interrupts regular operations under exceptional circumstances. We encourage students to use caution travelling to and from the university and around campus and to use public transit where possible.
Monitor uvic.ca, and Facebook for up-to-date information about how disrupting weather conditions are affecting campus operations and the exam schedule.
Exams
With respect to extreme weather during the exam period, students are urged to make sure they take extra time when travelling to campus for scheduled face-to-face exams. Road conditions can delay traffic and buses may not run on schedule. For face-to-face exams, students are responsible to make every effort to arrive on campus before scheduled on-campus exam times.
The university has procedures to deal with delays caused by extreme weather. In the event of extreme weather conditions that result in a campus closure:
a) For face-to-face mid-term exams and assignments, the instructor may consider rescheduling the in-person exam or make alternate arrangements. Your instructor will advise you on what arrangements will be made.
b) During the final exam period, the instructor may reschedule face-to-face examinations or make alternate arrangements for evaluating the course. Students should contact their instructor for information and instructions.
Online exams will continue as scheduled.
Frequently asked questions
Academics, exams & mid-terms
Try calling the department offering the course, or emailing the instructor.
Contact your instructor or the department offering the course immediately.
Contact your instructor or the department offering the course for specific guidance.
If you are concerned that your class has been cancelled, please direct your comment to the main office of the department offering the course.
Instructors are asked to wind down their on-campus teaching or other activities and allow their students to leave once the campus closure announcement has been made.
Check the uvic.ca website for any messages about campus closure and cancellation of face-to-face exams. Online exams will continue as scheduled.
If the information you are seeking about your on-campus exam is not available, please contact your instructor or the department offering the course.
In the event of an extreme weather event the university will take guidance from the Exam Cancellation policy.
Check the UVic website (uvic.ca) in the morning. An announcement will be made as early as possible.
Contact your instructor or the department offering the course immediately.
a) For mid-term exams and assignments, the instructor may consider rescheduling the exam or make alternate arrangements. Your instructor will advise you on what arrangements will be made.
b) During the final exam period, the instructor may reschedule the examination or make alternate arrangements for evaluating the course. Students should contact their instructor for information and instructions.
In the event of an extreme weather event the university will take guidance from the Exam Cancellation policy.
Services and buildings
Services necessary for the continued operation and safety of the campus will be staffed. These include:
- Campus Security (including Safe Walk)
- Residence Services (CLs, NMs)
- The Cove
Other public services on campus are closed.
If a campus closure occurs during the day (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.), buildings with designated study areas will close. When campus closure is announced before the start of the business day classroom buildings and study rooms will not be opened.
The Cove will be open; check the doors to the building for any posted change to their hours.
Residence Services Community Leaders (CLs) and Neighbourhood Managers (NMs) are on duty.
All libraries will close.
The Cove will be open; check the doors to the building for any posted change to their hours.
If a campus closure occurs during the day (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.), the SUB is available to wait in or study in. The Bookstore and Starbucks will be closed. When campus closure is announced before the start of the business day all classroom buildings will be closed.
If a campus closure occurs during the day (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.), the SUB will remain open and can be used as a waiting area before departing the campus. Services in the building will close. When campus closure is announced before the start of the business day the SUB will be closed.
If a campus closure occurs during the day (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.), the common areas of the Clearihue Building and designated study spaces will be closed.
The libraries will be closed during a campus closure due to snow or severe weather. If a campus closure occurs during the day (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.), the SUB is available to wait in or study in.
CARSA will close in any campus closure due to snow.
Most on-campus appointments will be cancelled for the day and need to be rescheduled. Check with the office where your appointment is scheduled for further information.
Transportation and travel
Roads may be quickly congested with departing traffic. For this reason it may take time to depart the campus. You may choose to wait on campus until the congestion on the roads has eased.
If a campus closure occurs during the day (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.), the SUB is available to wait in or study in. Other buildings, including those with libraries or designated study areas, will be closed following a campus closure announcement.
Contact your course instructor for details specific to your course.
BC Transit buses are expected to travel to and from campus unless BC Transit decides to reduce or stop service due to disrupting road conditions. Some bus routes may experience modified service. Make sure to check the BC Transit website for current information: https://bctransit.com/victoria/home.
Buses will stop on Ring Road unless the buses are full or the bus stops are not available due to conditions. Buses can fill up before they leave the UVic bus loop. Full buses will not stop along Ring Road unless they are stopping to allow passengers to disembark.
If a campus closure occurs during the day (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) the SUB will remain open for several hours after the campus closure announcement.
UVic is not able to provide staff to direct traffic on Ring Road as this is a municipal road. When walking or driving on campus please use extra caution and be patient and courteous.
Plan ahead and make safe choices for travel to campus during snowy weather. If your vehicle is not equipped for winter driving conditions, please use other transportation options including public transit or carpool with someone whose vehicle is winter-ready. If you do not have a safe travel option available and are unable to attend class, please notify your instructor. If the campus has been closed due to snow, cars on campus may park overnight without worry of a parking citation.
Residence Services may have a small number of beds/rooms available for the night for a fee. If these are not available and you are not able to leave the campus please contact Campus Security.
Snow clearing in parking lots is done based on the campus snow clearing priority list. Depending on a variety of factors including time of year, day of week, time of day and current and future weather, decisions may be made to either delay or adjust the snow clearing in parking lots.
Residence living
The Cove will be open; check the doors to the building for any posted change to their hours.
You are encouraged to remain in Residence; you do not need to leave the campus. Residence Services staff will be on duty. The Cove will be available to students living in Residence.
The Cove will be open for each meal of the day. Check the doors to the building for any posted change in hours necessary due to the snow closure.
The Residence Front Desk will be closed. Residence Services Community Leaders (CLs) and Neighbourhood Managers (NMs) are on duty.
For safety, snow removal and event information, see our general FAQs.
