Code red: Utrecht University closed on Friday, June 26 - exams and online education will continue

The Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) has issued a code red warning for Friday, June 26 for a large part of the Netherlands due to extreme heat. The warning is in effect all day and the advice is not to travel. In the Utrecht region, trams will also not be running on Friday.

For Utrecht University, this means that in-person classes on Friday, June 26 are cancelled. Online education and exams will continue, with the exception of exams at the Faculty of Social Sciences (FSW).

Buildings where exams, academic ceremonies, and graduation ceremonies are taking place will remain open, as will the University Veterinary Clinic and several other buildings with critical operations (see below). All other teaching and office buildings will remain closed on June 26.

Postponing the above activities is not feasible in the final weeks of the academic year. "We understand that sitting exams or working can be challenging under these circumstances," said Rector Magnificus Wilco Hazeleger. "But we ask for understanding regarding the decision that has been made - also because this allows students to complete their study period or, in the case of international students, to travel home after the academic year."

The following UU buildings will be open on Friday, June 26:

  • Academy Building, for academic ceremonies
  • Androclus Building, only for exams
  • Educatorium, only for exams
  • Ruppert Building, only for exams
  • Hijmans van den Bergh Building, only for exams
  • University Veterinary Clinics
  • City centre University Library as a cooling venue (the University Library at Utrecht Science Park will be closed on Friday)
  • Bolognalaan (building of the University of Applied Sciences Utrecht where UU exams are taking place)
  • For all laboratories, the opening hours and procedures of a regular weekend apply (minimal access)

Force majeure policy

Students who are unable to come to the university and therefore miss exams may invoke the force majeure policy of their faculty.

Updates

In principle, this will be the only update regarding this weather alert. Utrecht University will return to regular opening hours after the weekend. Should any further updates be necessary, these will be published on uu.nl.

Code red

The KNMI issues a weather alert "code red" in the event of extreme weather conditions that threaten to disrupt public life and/or may give rise to life-threatening situations.