Emergency information and campus alerts

Starting as early as Monday, January 12, Metrolinx will begin work on the Bowmanville Extension, which will extend Lakeshore East GO rail service east to Bowmanville. As part of this project, the Simcoe Street Bridge over the CPKC rail tracks will be demolished and replaced. This will require a full closure of Simcoe Street between Avenue Street and Albany Street for approximately two years.

During this time, vehicle traffic will be detoured via Stevenson Road, and pedestrians will be redirected to the Michael Starr Trail. GO Transit routes 52, 56, and 92, as well as Durham Region Transit routes 92 and N2, will also be detoured. Signage will be installed to assist drivers and pedestrians.

Construction will take place Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Those traveling near the work zone should expect noise from trucks and heavy equipment, lights directed toward the site, and vibration monitoring to ensure safety.

For more details and updates, visit metrolinx.com/bowmanville.

The accessibility lift at the front entrance of the Baagwating Indigenous Student Centre is currently out of service. Repairs are expected to be completed the week of January 12; however, additional time may be required.

Your patience and understanding is appreciated.

Please direct inquiries to the Office of Campus Infrastructure and Sustainability.

The main entrance of Charles Hall will be closed starting Wednesday, December 17, 2025. This will allow for the replacement of the current assisted lift at the entrance, with a self-operating elevator.

The new self-operating elevator will provide a more accessible experience for all building users.

During this time, a temporary entrance will be available and clearly marked with construction signage. Please follow posted directions when accessing the building. The main elevator inside Charles Hall will remain operational throughout the project.

The anticipated completion date for this upgrade is spring 2026. Your patience and understanding during this improvement project are greatly appreciated.

• View a diagram of the construction area.

Please direct inquiries to the Office of Campus Infrastructure and Sustainability.

In preparation for the installation of a new HVAC system, construction will occur on the fifth floor of Bordessa Hall from December 19, 2025 to January 16, 2026. During this time, the fifth floor will be inaccessible. Please do not schedule any activities in the building during this time.

To accommodate welding work on the roof, the entire building will be closed from December 26, 2025 to January 4, 2026. Faculty and staff should plan accordingly and make alternative arrangements.

For more information, contact Patrick Neil, Senior Project Manager, Office of Campus Infrastructure and Sustainability.

Each winter in Ontario, weather conditions such as heavy snow, freezing rain and/or ice pellets can make basic travel difficult. During such situations, questions often arise about whether campus operations will change.

During most winter weather, the campus remains open and activities remain unaffected.

It’s important to keep in mind that different organizations—public and private—follow their own protocols and best practices. When they make the decision to cancel operations or to close, university operations and activities may remain scheduled as normal.

How the university communicates weather-related operational changes

If operational changes are implemented due to a winter storm warning or inclement conditions, the university will issue information as soon as possible using MyOntarioTech, the mobile app and the service disruptions page.

Depending on the situation, the university will also:

• Communicate via other means as needed, including messages sent to Ontario Tech student, faculty and staff email addresses, social media, and on-campus digital signage.

• Forward official university messages to regional newspapers and radio/television stations.

• Post full information about our campus status on our home page.

Travelling to campus

Monitor your email, the university’s mobile app, MyOntarioTech, and our website for late-evening and early-morning updates on severe winter weather days, or for class cancellations.

If you’re travelling to or from campus, allow for plenty of time, and travel with due caution and care, especially if you are in an area heavily affected by the weather. If you are in an area heavily affected by the weather and cannot get to campus, contact your supervisor or professor regarding your absence. 

Students, faculty and staff are reminded they are responsible for determining when weather conditions make their travel unsafe.

If you observe a snow or ice hazard on campus, report it to Campus Security at ext. 2400 or 905.721.3211, and provide the exact location and situation.

Helpful internal links:

• Emergency Closure Policy
• Emergency Closure Procedures
• Winter safety on campus

Helpful external links:

• Durham Region Transit service alerts and detours
• Environment Canada weather forecasts for Ontario
• GO Transit service updates
• Ontario Ministry of Transportation winter driving information