Inclement Weather Policy

Policy Number: #100

Responsible Executive(s):

  • President
  • Provost
  • Senior Vice President and CFO
  • Vice President of Student Affairs

Responsible Office(s):

  • Office of the Provost
  • Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs
  • Campus Safety
  • Human Resources
  • Facilities and Physical Plant
  • Marketing and Communications

Date Adopted: 02-08-2016

Date Revised: 02-28-2022

A. Purpose

The purpose of the Inclement Weather Policy is to provide an effective and systematic means for the University to assess and respond to winter storm related hazards such as cold waves, snowfall, ice storms, and blizzards.

B. Scope

Inclement Weather Policy pertains to all Regis University campuses.

C. Policy

  1. RU Alerts
    All students, faculty and staff may sign up to receive emergency alert text messages through your cell phone and/or email messages to your computer using the RU Alert system. The system is also used to announce weather delay/cancellation information. All announcements will include a link to the Regis website that contains this policy and other information regarding inclement weather instructions and procedures.
  2. Winter Weather & Class Cancellation Policy
    • Regis University's severe weather policies have been established to ensure your safety on campus.
    • As is consistent with Regis’s student-centered approach, faculty are expected to be flexible with students as there will be inevitable scheduling and living arrangements that create challenges requiring individualized approaches.
    • Regis University determines evening class cancellations by 3 p.m. and morning class cancellations by 4:30 a.m. Regis will announce any campus cancellations shortly after via RU Alerts
    • If a campus closing is announced due to snow or other inclement weather remote classes will continue as planned. In person classes will pivot to remote learning unless otherwise specified in the student handbook and the individual class syllabi. Academic events and programs are considered closed and cancelled unless otherwise stated.
    • During weather delays, campuses will not host classes, events, programs until the official opening time stated in the alert. Remote classes will take place as scheduled. In person classes will take place after the opening time stated in the alert. In person classes will pivot to a remote format if the course is scheduled to conclude at least 30 minutes before the scheduled opening time stated in the alert. Classes that do not meet these criteria will be cancelled and the content made up in a manner outlined on the course syllabus. For example, if the RU Alert indicates a delayed opening until 10:00am, and your class is scheduled to meet from 8:00-9:25am, it will meet remotely. If, on the same day, you have a class scheduled to meet from 9:00am-10:25am, this class will be cancelled and made up at a later time. This takes into consideration students that need travel time to get to campus for classes later in the day.
    • In cases in which the campus closes early due to snow or other inclement weather, remote classes will continue as planned. Classes that start before the stated closing time but cannot be completed before the stated closing time will meet in the original format until the time in which the campus closes and content will be made up according to means outlined on the class syllabus. Classes with a start time after the stated closing time will pivot to remote learning. For example, a class that meets from 2-3:30pm on a day when campus closes at 3pm will meet in person from 2-3pm, and the remaining 30 minutes will be made up according to means outlined in the syllabus.
    • Students who are in clinical placements, experiential learning activities and practica/internships should follow the guidelines of the community placement. Any concerns in the approach of the site should be brought to the student’s faculty supervisor, who will advise the student in accordance with their best judgment.
    • The Main Cafe will remain open for students residing on campus
  3. Staff Work Expectations
    Please see Campus Closures – Staff Work Expectations Policy for further guidance regarding work requirements during inclement weather.
  4. Severe Weather Policy & Procedure: Community Guidance
    In the event of severe weather warnings (dangerous thunderstorms or tornado warnings), the following procedures are to be followed in all Regis University facilities
    • Remain in the building. Occupants should not attempt to vacate the premise, drive, or seek shelter in cars
    • Seek shelter immediately in interior rooms on the lowest level
    • Evacuate all offices, rooms or hallways with windows and glass or with exterior walls
    • Move to interior areas (such as classrooms, halls, restrooms, storage areas) and, if possible, take shelter under tables or desks. Every attempt should be made to put as many walls as possible between occupants and the outside
    • Lie low with hands covering the back of your head to reduce injury
    • Wait for an “all clear” signal before resuming activity
    • Regis University faculty are asked to announce in classes that all students are to follow the severe weather procedures and follow the directions of the building administrator when severe weather warnings have been issued

D. Related Policies, Procedures, Forms and Other Resources

Exhibit A: Inclement Weather Procedures
Campus Closures – Staff Work Expectations Policy

E. End Notes

Exhibit A
INCLEMENT WEATHER PROCEDURES

These procedures apply to all Regis University Campuses.

  1. Preparedness
    1. Monitor weather conditions throughout the day and overnight hourly or more frequently as needed.
      1. Extreme cold temperatures
      2. Snowfall/accumulation
      3. Icy conditions
      4. Outages
    2. Monitor weather forecasts and local regulations.
      1. Weather and news sites: weather.gov, weather.com, 9news.com, CODOT.gov/travel
      2. Colorado Department of Transportation “red” road conditions
      3. Denver Police Department/Adams County Sheriff’s Office
      4. Other delay/closure notices, including local universities, government offices, and public transportation
    3. Consult with Physical Plant regarding snow removal and other potential issues.
  2. Response
    1. 1:00 p.m. final check of sources for evening class cancellations by 3 p.m. and 4:30 a.m. final check of resources for morning cancellations.
    2. Recommend necessary action to VPSA, Provost, and AVP of Human Resources via text message and confirm decision.
  3. Notification
    1. AVP, Marketing and Communications (media and RU Alert notifications)
    2. RU Alerts (students, staff, and community members who signed up for alerts)
    3. Residence Life and Housing (food arrangements for residential students)
    4. AVP, Auxiliary Services, Student Activities, Athletics (campus events)
    5. Rector, Jesuit House
  4. Community Expectations and Procedures
    In the event of severe weather warnings (dangerous thunderstorms or tornado warnings), the following procedures are to be followed in all Regis University facilities
    • Remain in the building. Occupants should not attempt to vacate the premise, drive, or seek shelter in cars.
    • Seek shelter immediately in interior rooms on the lowest level.
    • Evacuate all offices, rooms or hallways with windows and glass or with exterior walls.
    • Move to interior areas (such as classrooms, halls, restrooms, storage areas) and, if possible, take shelter under tables or desks. Every attempt should be made to put as many walls as possible between occupants and the outside.
    • Lie low with hands covering the back of your head to reduce injury.
    • Wait for an “all clear” signal before resuming activity.
    • Regis University faculty are asked to announce in classes that all students are to follow the severe weather procedures and follow the directions of the building administrator when severe weather warnings have been issued.