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Appendix M WITTENBERG EMERGENCY CLOSING PROCEDURES AND POLICIES

Closing Procedures

For all weather-related and/or emergency situations that require the university to close, the following procedures will be followed:

1. The provost, in consultation with the vice president for business and finance, will make the determination as to whether to declare a university closing. A weather-related closing will only be implemented under severe and extreme weather conditions, including when the Clark County Sheriff‘s department has declared a level 3 Snow Emergency.

2. After the decision to close has been made, the Office of University Communications will place a closing message on the university‘s homepage. An e-mail will also be sent to faculty and staff, and a broadcast message will be sent through the campus voice mail system, which can be accessed by calling 327-7599. Please know that this communication method serves as the official notification of a closing.

3. The Office of University Communications will also inform the public via the media. Announcements related to closings typically appear on the following television and radio stations, and serve as your signal to check your voicemail, e-mail or the university‘s Web site:

WDTN/TV Channel 2 - Dayton
WKEF/TV Channel 22 - Dayton
WRGT/TV Channel 45 - Dayton
WHIO/TV Channel 7 - Dayton
WCMH/TV – Channel 4 – Columbus
WHIO/AM 1290 (also on FM 99.1, 95.7, 95.3)
WYSO/FM 91.3

4. The Police and Security Department will send a closing message via the text messaging system.

5. If regular day classes are canceled, all School of Community Education (SCE) classes will also be canceled. If a storm develops later in the day while classes are in session, the dean of the SCE may elect to cancel evening classes. That decision will be made by 4 p.m., and the SCE dean is responsible for communicating that decision to all SCE students and faculty.

6. Other departments with operations involving external groups are responsible for communicating the closing to their respective constituents. For example, Admissions and Advancement should notify scheduled visitors.

Closing-Related Policies

1. When the university is closed, such activities as music and theatre performances, intramural activities, club meetings, athletic practices etc. are generally cancelled.  If an activity is NOT cancelled, the schedule will be posted on the university's website.

2. Generally, the fitness center, HPERC, Benham-Pence Student Center, and Thomas Library will remain open although hours may be limited.  Student employees in these areas should consult with their supervisor to find out if they should report to work.

3. The determination as to whether to hold athletic-related events rests with the Department of Athletics. Information related to the cancellation of athletic contests, if necessary, will appear on the university‘s Web site.

4. Employees who are scheduled to work but do not work due to a declared university closing, will be paid according to the hours they were scheduled to work that day. In other words, you will not suffer a loss in pay as a result of the closing.

5. Employees who are on paid leave (ex. vacation, FMLA), will have that leave time reinstated for the declared university closing.

6. Employees who are required to work to maintain essential or necessary services on the declared university closing day will receive their regular rate of pay for the hours normally worked plus a comparable amount of pay or equivalent time off computed at their regular hourly rate for the hours worked. Essential services include police & security, switchboard, grounds crew, residential coordinators and other services as defined by each department in consultation with the respective vice president.

7. Faculty and staff members should use their own best judgment to determine whether the road conditions in their area are safe enough to travel to work. When weather conditions make it impossible for an employee to report for work during a day when the university remains open, staff members are expected to promptly advise their respective supervisor, and faculty should inform their classes. Staff may make up the hours within the same pay period or use a day of accrued vacation or a personal leave day.