Periodically questions arise concerning university procedures for severe weather and employee responsibility for attendance when severe conditions arise. Weather conditions often develop which require the university to consider the status of operations. These considerations involve the weather forecast, status of snow removal, class cancellations, the residential student population, and maintenance of essential services. Decisions concerning class cancellations are undertaken by the Provost. A decision to declare an emergency weather closing of campus operations (including class cancellations) is a consultative process involving the departments of Public Safety, Physical Plant, Environmental Health and Safety, my office, and representatives from the different university divisions. The range of potential decisions are summarized as follows:

1. Full campus operations including class schedules (unless canceled by individual faculty members) remain in
2. Classes are canceled at one or more NIU campus locations with campus offices and physical facilities remaining
   Employees should exercise judgment in terms of travel conditions. Designated essential service personnel are required
   for duty.
3. An emergency closure of one or more campus locations is authorized due to a severe weather emergency. Classes
   and all offices and physical facilities are closed with the exception of essential service operations. Employees
   excused absence with the exception of designated essential service personnel who are required to report for
   conditions and the status of operations at the off-campus centers may differ from the DeKalb campus).

Among the options outlined above, condition #1 will apply in most circumstances. As a general rule, the university is always open. When conditions #1 or #2 prevail, employees need to decide whether travel to the campus will be hazardous. With the exception of certain designated essential service personnel, it is the personal responsibility of all faculty and staff to make their own decisions and judgments concerning travel conditions and the danger of attending classes or coming to work under conditions which they personally believe to be unsafe. The university administration will endeavor to make the best decision possible concerning general conditions and the overall needs of the campus. However, specific situations and travel circumstances pertaining to individual members of the campus community must be independently evaluated. In the event that any (non-essential service designated) employee determines that travel during a severe weather condition would be hazardous to their individual safety, then the supervisor should be notified and the absence will be considered excused with available vacation, compensatory time, or leave without pay authorized accordingly.

Information concerning the operational status of the university during severe weather conditions is available on the NIU Home Page. Weather closing information will be updated on a regular basis when severe weather conditions occur. The Weather Status Hotline, NIU’s Home Page and regional radio/TV announcements will also be continually updated. For weather forecast reports and information you may also access the Environmental Health and Safety website at http://weather.admin.niu.edu, operated by NIU Staff Meteorologist Gilbert Sebenste (sebenste@weather.admin.niu.edu). Weather preparedness updates are issued on the website, and via e-mail, before and during a winter storm. Visit the website for more information on how to receive these updates via e-mail.

During severe weather conditions, access the following:
http://www.niu.edu/weather/

Toll Free Weather Status Hotlines:
For updated information regarding weather closings at NIU’s DeKalb campus, as well as the outreach centers at Hoffman Estates, Naperville, Oregon and Rockford, you also can call the NIU Toll Free Weather Status Hotline:

• Local residents, dial 752-OPEN (752-6736)
• Long distance callers, dial 1-888-4NIU-OPEN (1-888-464-8673)
• Local TDD callers, dial 753-9703
• Long distance TDD callers, dial 1-888-NIU-WTHR (1-888-648-9847)

Have a great and safe winter weather season!