EMU - University Communications

This document contains the weather policy; it does not contain information about any current closings (visit this link for current closure information for EMU's main campus and satellite locations). We will make every attempt to post closings on the EMU home page immediately after a decision is made to cancel classes.

Should severe weather threaten the University, the campus Emergency Team (E-Team) will make the decision as to whether or not the University will open or will remain open. Eastern Michigan is committed to fulfilling its instructional obligations. Nearly 5,000 students live on campus, and nearly 8,000 live within a one-mile radius of campus. 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.

The E-Team is chaired by the Vice President for Business and Finance, and has representatives from academic affairs, communications, student affairs, 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 from 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.

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.

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 the information through the LEIN.

CLOSURE INFORMATION:

**** Information regarding any closings will be carried on the EMU Newsline (734.487.2460); the switchboard (734.487.1849); WEMU (89.1 FM); WJR (760 AM); WWJ (950 AM) WAAM (1600 AM), and this web site, 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 and on this web site.