Policy 10
University of Wisconsin-Parkside
Inclement Weather/ Emergency Conditions
Policy #10
Scope/Purpose:
This policy extends the application of UW System Administrative Policy 1235 to the UW-Parkside campus. It draws important distinctions between the university remaining open, "canceling classes," and "closing the university." During a weather emergency, a decision may be made to:
- Keep the university open.
- Keep the university open, cancel in-person classes on campus, but allow hybrid, asynchronous, and synchronous online classes to be offered.
- Close the university.
Policy & Procedure
Inclement Weather: University Open
When there is inclement weather and the university remains open, students and employees should use their own judgment in attending classes and reporting to work. Employees are expected to notify their supervisor if they cannot report to work or will report late. Supervisors require the employee to make up lost time if required for operation of the unit.
Decisions affecting morning and afternoon classes are ordinarily made by 6 a.m.; decisions affecting evening classes that start after 4:30 p.m. are ordinarily made in the early afternoon (see Notification below). If emergency weather conditions develop during the workday and supervisors desire to have employees leave early, the supervisor's decision must comply with university guidelines.
Keep the university open, cancel in-person classes on campus, but allow hybrid, asynchronous, and synchronous online classes to be offered
When the university remains open and in-person classes do not meet on campus, employees must use their own judgment in reporting to work. In-person classes on campus are canceled but online classes (e.g., hybrid, asynchronous, and synchronous) are offered. At the discretion of instructors, in-person classes may proceed via remote means, but students should not be required to participate. Extracurricular activities such as athletic events, concerts, and special presentations may or may not take place as scheduled. Please visit the UW-Parkside website for the most up-to-date information.
Decisions affecting morning and afternoon classes are ordinarily made by 6 a.m.; decisions affecting evening classes that start after 4:30 p.m. are ordinarily made in the early afternoon (see Notification below). If emergency weather conditions develop during the workday and supervisors desire to have employees leave early, the supervisor's decision must comply with university guidelines.
Inclement Weather: University Closed
When the university is closed, all in-person and online (e.g., hybrid, asynchronous, synchronous) classes and all extracurricular activities are canceled. Certain campus operations must continue despite the weather: campus police services, snow removal, power-plant operation, food service for residential students, etc. For employees in these areas, please contact your supervisor for schedule details. If the university is closed, employees must use available vacation, accrued compensatory time, available holidays, or leave without pay to cover the absence, or they may arrange another work schedule with their supervisor. Questions should be directed to the Human Resources Department.
Inclement Weather: University remains open
If inclement weather requires the administration to make an announcement about the university remaining open, a notice will be posted on the UW-Parkside website and social media accounts (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn), and will be sent by email to all faculty, staff, and students.
If you have subscribed to Ranger Alert, you will also receive a notice indicating that the university remains open. You may also access this information on area radio and television stations, including their social media accounts and mobile apps.
Inclement Weather: Class are cancelled OR university is closed
If all classes are canceled OR if the university is closed due to inclement weather, a notice will be posted on the UW-Parkside website and social media accounts (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn), and will be sent by email to all faculty, staff, and students.
If you have subscribed to Ranger Alert, you will also receive a classes-canceled or university-closed text message on your cell phone. You may also access this information on area radio and television stations, including their social media accounts and mobile apps.
Most radio and television stations ordinarily confine announcements to whether the university is open or closed, and the announcement may not make the distinction between classes being canceled and the university being closed. It is always a good idea to check the UW-Parkside website for the most accurate information.
Here is a list of radio and television stations that are most likely to carry campus news during inclement weather:
Kenosha radio stations: WLIP (1050 AM), WIIL (95.1 FM), WGTD (91.1 FM)
Racine radio stations: WRJN (1400 AM; 98.1 FM; 99.9 FM; @wrjnnews), 92.1 VTY Country (92.1 FM), WGTD (91.1 FM)
Milwaukee radio stations: WTMJ (620 AM)
Milwaukee TV stations: WTMJ (Channel 4), WITI (Channel 6), WISN (Channel 12), WDJT (Channel 58)
Chicago Information: (https://www.emergencyclosingcenter.com/) or radio stations, WBBM (780 AM), WGN (720 AM), and Chicago TV stations, channels 2, 5, 7, 9, and 32.
Radio and television stations will receive class cancelation information for that day no later than 6:30 a.m. If UW-Parkside is not mentioned by the media, assume the university is open and classes are being held.
*Revised: Fall 2023