To the Campus Community,

Governor Hochul has declared a State of Emergency in select counties, including Nassau and Suffolk, as a blizzard is forecasted to hit Long Island beginning this evening and extending into Monday. A declaration of emergency, even by the governor, does not automatically mean the closure of the university.

This memo details guidance for Monday, February 23, 2026.

Out of an abundance of caution, Stony Brook is canceling all classes, exams, and in-person events scheduled for Monday, February 23. This includes both in-person and online classes and exams, and in-person events and applies to Stony Brook Main Campus, Southampton, and Manhattan, including the Schools of Medicine, Nursing, Health Professions, Social Welfare, and Dental Medicine.

In-person classes and exams are not to be converted to a synchronous virtual format; however, all faculty and instructors may provide limited supplemental material to support student progression. Faculty and instructors are encouraged to be in touch with their students regarding any adjustments to coursework. Students with clinical obligations should refer to their school or program policy or contact their clinical coordinators with any questions or concerns.

Please note only the Governor of New York State can close state offices, agencies, and campuses, and only the governor can authorize employees to remain away from work without charge to leave accruals. At this time, Stony Brook is scheduled to remain open and those individuals designated as essential personnel should report to work. Departments may not cease operations due to inclement weather or hazardous conditions unless the university has closed.

Here is guidance specific to each employment type and essential work status:

Essential Employees

Offices will remain open, and employees whose position description designates them as performing "essential" work are required to work on-site, at their regularly scheduled time. 

Non-Essential Employees

At the direction of the governor, state agencies have been instructed to have non-essential employees work remotely on Monday, February 23 where possible. 

A non-essential employee currently authorized to work at home or off-site prior to an inclement weather event should do so for Monday, February 23.

A non-essential employee not currently authorized to work at home or off-site prior to an inclement weather event should immediately consult their supervisor.

If a supervisor determines the employee can accomplish their duties remotely, the supervisor may approve work at home or off-site for Monday, February 23. There is no ongoing entitlement to this arrangement.

If a supervisor determines the employee cannot accomplish their duties remotely, the employee is subject to a directed absence for Monday, February 23 without charge to leave accruals.   

This directive also is in effect starting after 4:00 p.m. for such non-essential employees scheduled for work on Sunday, February 22. 

Converting Meetings and Events

While in-person events are canceled, where practicable, academic departments may convert faculty and staff meetings and other events that do not require student participation to hybrid or remote in order to facilitate participation regardless of one’s ability to get to campus. Meetings and events that were already designed to be entirely remote or hybrid may proceed, at the discretion of event and meeting hosts.

Employees with questions should contact their supervisor.

University Hospital and the Long Island State Veterans Home will remain open and operating on regular schedules. Employees in these areas are designated essential and must report as scheduled. This also applies to employees designated as essential in certain areas of west campus that deliver healthcare and related services.

Please continue to monitor university email and the university website for updates. Additional information will be shared as conditions warrant.

For the latest emergency updates, follow @sbu_erm on X or Instagram.