Should severe weather threaten the University, the campus Emergency Team (E-Team) will make the decision as to whether or not the University will close or remain open.
Eastern Michigan is committed to fulfilling its instructional obligations. Nearly 5,000 students live on campus and an additional 8,000 to 10,000 live within a one-mile radius of campus. As such, it is the University's intent to conduct classes as long as it can maintain reasonable conditions on campus and the roads in the immediate areas are reasonably passable.
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WINTER WONDERLAND: An Eastern
Michigan University student walks
under a tree branch bowed by ice
after a storm in late January 2002
closed the University for two days.
Nearly nine inches of snow followed by
freezing rain created conditions that
warranted closing the campus Jan. 31
and Feb. 1. Photo by Ron Podell
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The E-Team is chaired by the vice president for business and finance, and includes representatives from academic affairs, communications, student affairs, the physical plant and public safety. During an alert, the E-Team monitors campus and regional conditions through the Department of Public Safety and the physical plant. The E-Team is in contact with the Washtenaw Emergency Council, and receives frequent updates regarding weather conditions and road advisories from the Law Enforcement Information Network (LEIN).
In making a decision, the E-Team considers: the condition of campus parking lots; the condition of campus roads; the availability of uninterrupted electrical service; the condition of local and state roads as indicated by road and storm advisories; weather forecasts; and ice, wind and severe cold temperatures.
The decision to remain open or close will be made by 5 a.m. in order to provide sufficient time to notify the media.
If the decision is made to close the University, University Communications and Public Safety are immediately notified. University Communications will notify the switchboard, WEMU and other media, and will post the information on the news line and Web site. Public Safety will disseminate the information through the LEIN.
Information regarding a closing will be carried on the EMU Newsline (734) 487-2460; the switchboard (734) 487-1849; WEMU (89.1); WJR (760AM); WAAM (1600 AM) as well as other radio and television stations.
The cancellation of programs at off-site locations, athletic events and special events will be made on case-specific basis, and will be announced through University Communications.
