College Closings

How Can I Find out About College Closings?

In the event of bad weather or another kind of emergency, Northern Essex Community College may be required to close one or all of its campuses.

There Are Several Ways to Find out Whether the College Is Closed:

• All current students and employees are automatically included in our alert system and should start receiving alerts as they are communicated
• Visit the homepage of the college’s website, in the header alert area above the page.
• Sign up for the college’s Facebook page or Instagram feed.
• Via the following local television stations: WBZ, WCVB, WHDH, and FOX 25
• All non-students or employees who wish to receive NECC alerts can sign up here.

In the Case of Inclement Weather, How Are Decisions Made to Open or Close the Campus?

NECC administrators consider a number of factors in deciding whether to close the campus due to inclement weather. These factors include but are not limited to an assessment of the condition of our campuses and area roads and a review of weather predictions.

Are Students Required to Come in If the Campus Is Open?

Even when the college is open, weather and driving conditions can vary, depending on your location. Students should use their own judgment about the safety of coming on campus.

If the college is open, but students decide that conditions in their area make it unsafe for them to travel, they should consult the attendance policy in their class syllabus or their instructor to learn how their absence will be treated.

Are Faculty and Staff Required to Come in If the Campus Is Open?

Faculty and staff who determine that that conditions in their area make it unsafe to travel, can take approved vacation, personal leave, earned compensatory time, or sick time with satisfactory medical evidence. If there are extenuating circumstances or if they have questions, they are encouraged to consult with their supervisor. The Snow Emergency Policy found on NECC One provides additional details.

Delayed Openings

When the college has a delayed opening, any class that begins before the announced opening time is canceled entirely.

Example: Delilah has class from 9:00 a.m. until 11:50 a.m. The school declares a delayed opening for 10:00 a.m. Because Delilah’s class begins prior to the delayed opening time, her class is cancelled.

Early Closings

When the college closes early, any class that overlaps the close time will still be held, and will end at the scheduled time of the early close. Students may want to contact their teacher to confirm class is still being held.

Example: John has class from 3:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. The school declares an early close that day for 4:00 p.m. John still has to go to class to avoid an absence because it begins while the school is still open. However, the class ends early at 4:00 p.m.

Day vs Evening

Day classes include any class that begins before 4 pm and evening classes include any courses beginning at 4 pm or after.

So, if evening classes are cancelled, a class beginning at 4 pm would be cancelled. Any classes beginning before 4 pm would be held as scheduled if the college was open for day classes.

If evening classes are being held, any class beginning at 4 pm or after would be held as scheduled.