Inclement Weather Policy

At times, the College may choose to make virtual learning available, cancel classes and co-curricular practices or events, or, on rare occasions, close due to the severity of weather conditions. Unless notified to the contrary, assume classes and college events are being held as scheduled and that the college is open. 

Our decision-making is guided by three scenarios: 

1. Ordinary winter weather - No changes to schedules or operations.
2. Inclement weather (campus open) – Campus remains open, but virtual learning is offered.
3. Severe weather (campus closed) – Campus is closed; classes and activities are canceled. 

Guidelines During Inclement Weather (Campus Open)

• Faculty are expected to make virtual learning (either synchronous or asynchronous) available to all students. 
  • Faculty may invite students to their usual classrooms, though attendance in person is not expected. In no instance should students feel pressured to attend in person. Virtual/remote learning will be made available to all students.
  • In some instances, virtual learning may not be possible based on the format of the course (for example, such as laboratory or studio learning) and may necessitate classes are canceled.  Department chairs and program directors should be informed of cancelations.  
• Co-curricular practices or events should be canceled; optional or remote opportunities may be made available to students. 
  • Students should not be expected to travel to campus for co-curricular practices or events.  Virtual or remote options may be made available to students.  In no instance should students feel pressured to attend an optional practice or event in person.
  • Decisions about MIAC scheduled competitions will be made on a case-by-case basis. 
• The library will remain open during the day and close at 5:00 p.m. In instances of worsening weather, the library may need to close earlier, which will be communicated to the campus.
• Employees are expected to work.  
  • Remote work may be approved on a case-by-case basis if basic job duties can be met; otherwise, individuals may use PTO with supervisor approval.
  • Essential operations and personnel have been identified and have established procedures for reporting to campus.
  • Those who commute to campus will need to evaluate for themselves whether they can travel safely to and from work.  Employees who are unable to get to campus safely should notify their supervisors. 

Guidelines During Severe Weather (Campus Closed)

• Faculty are not expected to meet their classes. 
  • Faculty may offer class virtually (synchronous or asynchronous) consistent with their class policy.  If a faculty member intends to require virtual learning during a campus closure, they are expected to communicate this in a weather-related attendance policy on the syllabus at the start of the semester.  
• No required or optional learning experiences for students will take place on campus. 
• The library will be closed. 
• Employees are not expected to come to work unless they have been identified as essential operations and personnel.

Communication Channels for Weather-Related Decisions

The college monitors weather forecasts and reports. The decision whether to close the college or require virtual learning is made by the Provost in consultation with the President. When possible, decisions to alter ordinary operations will be announced prior to 6:30 a.m.  Decisions to require virtual learning or close campus may be made earlier than this, however, the timeline will be dependent upon the weather predictions. In some instances, campus may close for a portion of the day (such as a delayed opening or an afternoon/evening closure mid-day) and such decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.

Any decision to close campus or move to virtual learning will be announced through the following channels:

• Concordia Email
• E2campus Alert System (text message)
• CobberNet home page
• Campus Information (299-4000)
• Local radio and television outlets