Kent State announced a change to its winter weather policy this week, lowering the wind chill threshold for class cancellations and delays from minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit to minus fifteen degrees Fahrenheit.

The update comes after last winter’s backlash, when classes continued despite extreme cold and the university offered hot chocolate stations instead of cancellations.

Decisions will now be announced by 5:30 a.m. for morning classes, 10 a.m. for afternoon classes, and 3 p.m. for evening classes, with alerts sent through Flash ALERTS and email. Student leaders who pushed for the change say it’s a win for campus safety and proof that student voices matter.

Lex Radde is a reporter for Kent Stater TV. Contact her at [email protected].