Inclement Weather

During inclement weather, the College will typically remain open with a regular class schedule, to the extent possible, without jeopardizing the safety of students and employees. During extreme weather, the College may pursue various instructional scenarios: following a condensed schedule, declaring a delayed opening, declaring early dismissal, or canceling classes. The  College monitors conditions on campus and in the surrounding area. However, conditions can vary from location to location within our commuting area. As a result, the College encourages individuals to use their judgment in making decisions regarding their personal safety and traveling to campus if they feel it is not safe for them to do so.  

Faculty

Faculty members are expected to hold classes if the College has not announced they are canceled. They are encouraged to have classes meet in person whenever possible. However, should a faculty member choose to move a class meeting to a virtual setting (preferred) or choose to cancel a class individually (discouraged), faculty members should notify their students (using Canvas and/or email) and the office of the Dean in their respective schools as early as possible before the class meeting time.  

Students 

Students considering it unsafe to travel to class due to inclement weather should notify their professors as early as possible. Faculty are encouraged not to penalize students with valid justification for missing on-campus classes during extreme weather conditions; however, it is the student’s responsibility to review their course syllabi for details about their faculty members’ attendance policies and to adhere to them. Whenever classes are moved to a virtual setting or canceled due to inclement weather, students should consult Canvas and check their email to see if faculty have created alternative assignments/activities in place of the class meeting. Students should consult their professors regarding assignment due dates impacted by a change in schedule due to inclement weather. Unless otherwise instructed, electronically submitted assignments are still due at the time and date indicated on the course syllabus. 

Internships, Co-Ops, Clinicals, and Other Off-Campus Assignments

Students scheduled for off-campus assignments when the College has announced a condensed schedule, declared a delayed opening, declared early dismissal, or canceled classes because of weather should contact the off-campus program director, clinical supervisor, supervising faculty member, or internship employer to determine if they should report for their off-campus assignment. 

Employees 

Employees are expected to work remotely if they can do so when the College is closed. If employees are unable to work remotely, they should utilize accrued personal or vacation time. Positions identified as essential personnel are expected to report to campus when the College is closed. Employees who believe it is unsafe to travel to campus when a closure is not in effect should contact their supervisor. Travel time to work is not included as time worked.  For information on how to report, refer to inclement weather-web time entry reporting.

Notification

Inclement weather schedule changes will be communicated via portal announcements and email, emergency alert texts, and the College’s social media accounts and website.  Additionally, emergency text alerts and LiveSafe announcements are available as a free service. Commercial radio and TV announcements are not posted.  

For morning events, a decision will be made and announced, whenever possible, by 6:00 a.m. Only in extreme conditions will announcements be made the previous night. Early dismissal will normally coincide with the end of a class period whenever possible. 

Each senior administrator will inform each administrator or staff member in his/her unit whether or not the job they hold is defined as a weather-emergency position. Persons who take or retain such positions need to make advance arrangements for reliable and safe means of travel between their homes (or temporary quarters) and campus, even in inclement weather.

Weather emergency personnel should follow the guidelines stated in the Electronic Web Time Entry guide provided to them on how to be compensated during inclement weather.

*Weather Emergency Staff

• Grounds Crew Supervisor and Grounds Crew personnel
• Maintenance Supervisor and Maintenance personnel
• Energy and Controls Supervisor and Energy and Controls personnel
• Custodial Manager and Custodial personnel
• Campus Safety personnel (On Duty)
• Campus Information Center Operator
• Facility Services Coordinator

*Weather Emergency Staff (As Requested)

• Facility Services Administrative Assistant
• SpartanStore personnel
• Athletics & Recreation personnel
• Library Technology Services (LTS) personnel
• Campus Safety personnel
• Payroll Coordinator
• Health Services personnel

**Weather Emergency Administrators

• President
• Chief of Staff
• Provost
• Assistant Provost
• Vice President of Student Life
• Vice President of Campus Operations
• Vice President of Enrollment Management
• Vice President of Business Affairs/CFO
• Vice President of College Advancement
• Chief Information Officer
• Executive Director of the Center for Community Engagement
• Executive Director for the Graham Center for Collaborative Innovation
• Director of Communications
• Assistant Dean of Student Life and New Student Programs
• Director of Residence Life
• Food Services Manager
• Director of Health Services
• Library Director
• Director of Campus Safety
• Director of Facility Services
• Energy and Controls Supervisor
• Director of SpartanStore; Alternate - Assistant Director of SpartanStore
• Customer Service Manager; Alternate - Course Related and Supplies Manager
• Assistant Dean for Athletics and Recreation
• LTS Help Desk Manager

**Weather Emergency Administrators (As Requested)

• Campus Events and Conference Manager
• Director of Human Resources
• Assistant Director of Residence Life
• Area Coordinators
• Assistant Vice President of Finance
• Director of Business Office
• Director of Facilities Operations - Grumbacher Center
• Director of Campus Recreation
• Associate Director of Athletics and Recreation
• Assistant Director of Athletics and Recreation - Facilities
• Assistant Director of Athletics and Recreation - Events
• Director of Enterprise Information
• Director of Information Technology
• Media Technology Services Manager
• Director of Client Services
• Director of Infrastructure and Security
• Director of Undergraduate Admissions