University of Southern Maine

Policy 101.4 : Weather Emergency Policy

        U N I V E R S I T Y   O F   S O U T H E R N   M A I N E


POLICY#:  101.4
SUBJECT:  WEATHER EMERGENCY POLICY  FOR CANCELLATION OF CLASSES AND WORK
APPLIES TO:  ALL EMPLOYEES AND STUDENTS
ISSUED BY:  OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
EFFECTIVE DATE:  11/08/88
REVIEW/REVISION DATE:  11/05/01


Decision to Cancel

The decision to cancel classes and/or to close University offices will be made only by the President or designee. The decision will be made only if snow or other weather conditions are judged sufficient to cause danger or undue hardship to the USM community.

The following are the decisions to be made:

Day classes and/or work

1. To cancel day classes and/or work before the start of classes and/or work day.
2. To delay starting classes and/or work for a period of time.
3. To cancel classes and/or work during class and/or work hours.

Late afternoon and evening classes and/or work (beginning at 4:00 p.m.).

4. To cancel late afternoon and evening classes and/or work.
5. To hold late afternoon and evening classes and/or work.

Notification

Students and employees will be notified of cancellation/closing in the following ways:

1. The decision to cancel classes and/or work or to delay starting classes and/or work for a period of time will normally be announced on select radio and television stations by 6:30 a.m.

2. The decision to cancel or hold late afternoon classes and/or work will normally be announced on select radio and television stations around 2:00 p.m

3. The decision to cancel or hold evening classes and/or work will normally be announced on select radio and television stations around 4:00 p.m.

4. The decision to cancel classes and/or work early will be made through the offices of the President's Staff and Deans to faculty, students and staff.

5. The University of Southern Maine storm telephone numbers, 780-4800 or 1-800-800-4876 (from September through May for callers outside local call area) will have recorded messages informing staff, students and the public as to the University's operational status.

ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE & PAY POLICIES

If the campuses are closed because of hazardous conditions, staff who are not critical to dealing with the emergency will be paid and will remain at home until the campuses reopen. If a job is vital to handling the emergency, certain employees will be required to work. Employees should discuss their status with their immediate supervisors before the fact. Employees who will be required to work will be paid in accordance with the applicable collective bargaining agreement or the University established rate.

When the campuses are closed due to hazardous weather conditions, University non residential buildings will be closed. As the University has made the decision that conditions are sufficiently hazardous to close the institution, staff are strongly urged not to come to campus buildings as their presence may interfere with weather related operations, heat may not be turned on in buildings, and people entering and leaving buildings during a weather emergency create potential security problems. University employees are expected to work when offices are open and classes in session. It is understood that one may occasionally be late due to adverse weather conditions. However, if one is late or elects not to work when the University is open, s/he is expected to record the absence as vacation or compensatory time.

The declaration of an administrative leave period due to weather as applicable to Wolfe's Neck Stone House operation shall be determined by the Vice President for Enrollment Management. The weather decision affecting Lewiston/Auburn College will be made by the Dean of Lewiston/Auburn College, independent of the weather decision being made for the University of Southern Maine at Portland and Gorham campuses. For USM employees at the Institute of Public Sector Innovation in Augusta, their weather decision will follow the University of Maine at Augusta's decision. Due to the rental/use of the USM Ice Arena by outside parties, the Ice Arena may remain open during periods that the rest of the University is closed. The declaration of an administrative leave period due to weather for the Ice Arena will be made by the Director of Athletics and Ice Arena Manager, and the decision will be available on the Ice Arena Information Line (780-5991).