On a couple of occasions last year, heavy overnight and
early-morning snow showers forced closure of classes at
Eastern Michigan University. A few hours later, the snow
had stopped, the sun was shining and local, main roads
were plowed and passable.
If this wintry scenario plays out again this year, EMU
would be able to salvage late morning, afternoon and evening
classes. And that would be due to recent revisions in the
University's severe weather policy that provides more flexibility.
The revisions include:
- The decision to remain open or to cancel morning classes
(those starting before 11:30 a.m.) will be made before
6 a.m., in order to provide sufficient time to notify the
media.
- The decision to remain open or to cancel afternoon classes
(11:30 a.m.-5 p.m.) will be made before 9:30 a.m.
- The decision to remain open or to cancel evening classes
(those starting at 5 p.m. or later) will be made before
3 p.m.
Closure information
Information regarding any University closings
will be carried on the EMU Newsline (487-2460),
the switchboard (487-1849), WEMU 89.1 FM, WJR 760
AM, WWJ 950 AM, WAAM 1600 AM, the University Web
site at http//www.emich.edu, 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 a case-specific basis, and will be announced
through University Communications. |
"The intent of this is to not put anybody at undue risk,
but still try to hold as many classes as we can," said
Steve Holda, interim director of finance and chair of the
campus Emergency or E-Team. "We
thought this was a better alternative than making an all-or-nothing
decision."
The E-Team discussed the revisions
shortly before Thanksgiving and then took their plan to
the Strategic Operations Council, which approved it, Holda
said.
Nearly 5,000 students live on campus and nearly 8,000
live within a one-mile radius of campus. According to the
severe weather policy, 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.
"We have many students who live on campus or live within
a mile. They can put their boots on and walk to campus," Holda
said. "But, we need to be sensitive to students who live
further away. Some of our faculty and staff also live far
away."
While winter mornings in Washtenaw County can be treacherous,
Holda said the policy also takes into account scenarios
in which morning conditions are favorable, but then heavy
snow begins to fall during the late morning or early afternoon.
"We could have a situation where a front moves in and
drops 2 inches an hours. We have the mechanism that we
can cancel classes for the afternoon," Holda said.
In addition to Holda, the E-Team has representatives from
academic affairs, University Communications, student affairs,
the physical plant and public safety. During an alert,
the team monitors campus and regional conditions through
the Department of Public Safety and the physical plant.
The team is in contact with the Washtenaw Emergency Council
and receives frequent updates regarding weather conditions
and road advisories fro the Law Enforcement Information
Network (LEIN).
In making a decision, the E-Team considers:
the conditions 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.
If the decision is made to close the University, University
Communications and Public Safety are immediately notified.
University Communications will notify the switchboard,
WEMU 89.1 FM and other media, and will post the information
on the EMU Newsline and the EMU Web site. Public Safety
will disseminate information through the LEIN.
"I'm hoping this will be really clear for people, they'll
know what the procedure is and this will make the whole
winter experience less stressful in regard to University
life," Holda
said. — Pamela Young contributed to this report.
