Information for students
UVic only interrupts regular operations under exceptional circumstances. We make every effort to remain open during snow and other disrupting weather.
As a general rule, campus remains open if BC Transit buses are travelling to and from the university.
Monitor uvic.ca, Twitter and Facebook for up-to-date information about how weather conditions are affecting campus operations and the exam schedule. We will use UVic Alerts (text message, email, UVic SafetyApp push notification) to notify the campus community if a delayed opening or campus closure is required.
Exams
Online exams will continue as scheduled.
For face-to-face exams, you are responsible to make every effort to arrive on campus before your scheduled exam times.
During extreme weather, make sure you take extra time when travelling to campus. Road conditions can delay traffic and buses may not run on schedule.
Sometimes extreme weather conditions may result in a campus closure. In that case:
- For face-to-face mid-term exams and assignments, the instructor may consider rescheduling the in-person exam or make other arrangements. Your instructor will let you know.
- During the final exam period, the instructor may reschedule face-to-face exams or make alternate arrangements for evaluating the course. Contact your instructor for information.
Frequently asked questions
Academics, exams and mid-terms
Try calling the department offering the course, or emailing the instructor.
Contact your instructor or the department offering the course.
If you are concerned that your class has been cancelled, please contact the department offering the course.
Check uvic.ca for any messages about campus closure and cancellation of face-to-face exams. Online exams will continue as scheduled.
If you need more information about your on-campus exam, contact your instructor or the department offering the course.
Check the UVic website (uvic.ca) in the morning. We'll make an announcement as early as possible.
Contact your instructor or the department offering the course immediately.
In the event of an extreme weather event the university will follow the exam cancellation policy.
For mid-term exams and assignments, your instructor may consider rescheduling the exam or make alternate arrangements. They will let you know what arrangements will be made.
During the final exam period, your instructor may reschedule the examination or make alternate arrangements for evaluating the course. Contact them for information and instructions.
We ask instructors to wind down their on-campus teaching or other activities. They can let their students leave once the campus closure announcement has been made.
Contact your instructor or the department offering the course immediately.
In the event of an extreme weather event the university will follow the exam cancellation policy.
Services and buildings during campus closure
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 in 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 in 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 a 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 leaving campus. Services in the building will close.
When a 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 or study in.
CARSA will close during any campus closure due to winter weather.
Most on-campus appointments will be cancelled for the day and need to be rescheduled. Check with the office where your appointment is scheduled.
Transportation and travel
Contact your course instructor.
Buses will stop on Ring Road unless they are full or the bus stops are not available due to road 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 let passengers off.
If a campus closure occurs during the day (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) the SUB will stay open for several hours after the campus closure announcement.
If the campus has been closed due to snow, cars on campus may park overnight without worry of a parking ticket.
Buses are expected to travel to and from campus unless BC Transit decides to reduce or stop service due to road conditions. Some bus routes may experience modified service. Check the BC Transit website for current information.
UVic is not able to provide staff to direct traffic on Ring Road as this is a municipal road. Please use extra caution and be patient and courteous.
Roads may be quickly congested so it may take time to leave campus. You may choose to wait on campus until the roads are less busy.
If a campus closure occurs during the day (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.), the SUB is available to wait or study in. Other buildings, including those with libraries or designated study areas, will be closed following a campus closure announcement.
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 campus, please contact Campus Security.
Snow clearing in parking lots is done based on the campus snow clearing priority list.
Depending on 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 during campus closure
The Cove will be open. Check the doors to the building for any posted change to their hours.
You do not need to leave campus. Residence Services staff will be on duty and The Cove will be available to students living on campus.
The Cove will be open for each meal of the day. Check the doors to the building for any posted change in hours.
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.
