Weather Closure Open or Close Alert Message
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Due to the expected winter storm, the University will close campus beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday. The campus will remain closed through Monday, and we expect to resume normal operations on Tuesday morning. If conditions change, we will share updates promptly. 

Campus Services During the Closure 

While most in-person activities will pause, essential services will remain available. Public Safety and Facilities will be on campus throughout the storm, and the following services are expected to remain open or staffed: 

  • Residence Halls (RDs/RAs on duty) 
  • Dining 
  • Computer Labs 
  • Facilities/Housekeeping 
  • University Operator 
  • Health Services (TBD by Director) 

Students living on campus should expect regular support from Residence Life and Public Safety. 

Classes and Work During the Closure 

Students 
Scheduled face-to-face classes will not take place on campus. At the discretion of faculty, some in-person classes may be held remotely. Faculty will communicate directly, so please check your email and course site for updates. 

Classes that are already scheduled to be fully remote will continue as usual unless otherwise communicated by your instructor.  

Staff 
Staff who are able to work remotely should coordinate with their supervisors as appropriate. 

Staying Informed 

The University’s Inclement Weather Policy is available on the WNE website via the homepage banner. We will communicate any changes or reopening details through WNE Alert, email, and the University website.

 

WNE skyline.
Office of the President

Office of the President

Meet Interim President Michael B. Alexander

Michael B. Alexander is a visionary higher education leader with a deep commitment to academic excellence, affordability, and student-centered innovation. With more than 16 years of presidential experience, he has built a reputation for driving institutional growth, cultivating inclusive learning communities, and advancing access to higher education.

Born in Springfield, Ohio, Alexander spent his first year living in the President’s House at Antioch College, offering an early and symbolic start to a lifetime in education and leadership.

From 2007 to 2023, he served as President of Lasell University in Newton, Massachusetts. During his tenure, Lasell saw significant transformation: the university’s endowment more than doubled, graduate enrollment grew fourteen‑fold, and the campus was revitalized through extensive construction and renovation projects. He also served as CEO of Lasell Village, a pioneering retirement community integrated into the university, where residents actively participated in educational life.

Alexander is the founder of the Lower Cost Models for Independent Colleges, a national consortium of more than 135 institutions working together to reduce the cost of a private college education.

In 2023–24, he was named the Judith McLaughlin President‑in‑Residence at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where he co-taught courses on the future of American postsecondary education and ethical leadership while mentoring graduate students.

He holds an A.B. in History and Literature of America, cum laude, from Harvard University and an M.A. in Education from The Ohio State University, and completed all coursework toward a doctorate at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by Lasell University in 2023.

On July 1, 2025, Alexander was named Interim President of Western New England University, a role he embraces with enthusiasm and purpose.

“I have long admired Western New England University and am honored to join the WNE community,” said Alexander. “WNE’s legacy of preparing students for meaningful careers and active, engaged citizenship resonates deeply with my own professional priorities and philosophy. I look forward to working with students, faculty, staff, and alumni to build on that legacy and position the university for an even stronger future.”