HONG KONG — Two Hong Kong university campuses cut their semesters short on Wednesday because of widening unrest, as residents navigated severe transit disruptions and office workers brawled with the police in the heart of the financial district.

This week’s disruptions are notable because they have strained the city’s infrastructure for three straight workdays, forcing commuters to choose whether to venture outside and risk being caught up in clashes and tear gas. The protests started in June over an extradition bill that has since been withdrawn, and have morphed into broader demands for democracy and police accountability.

Schools and universities have become flash points. A day after young demonstrators staged a fiery standoff against the police on the fringes of a university campus, classes were called off there on Wednesday for the remainder of the fall semester.