Applies To: Faculty, Staff, Students
Responsible Office: SVP Finance & Administration / CFO
Policy Statement
The School takes the safety of our faculty, staff, and students very seriously, and considers that many of our students and employees commute to campus from some distance away. In determining when operations should be altered due to weather, the School uses data from the National Weather Service and the Minnesota Department of Transportation to help inform decision making.
The School makes every effort to announce any operational changes by 9:00 p.m. for the next day alterations (if possible) or by 5 a.m. regarding day classes and events and before noon for evening classes and events.
Messages regarding weather-related decisions will most likely take one of these forms:
- Delayed Start for Campus Operations (First classes of the day delivered remotely until XX and offices opening late.)
- In-Person Classes Cancelled, Campus Operations Open (All classes delivered remotely. Events continue. Offices open.)
- Early Campus Operations Closure (Classes switching to remote learning after XX, and offices closing at XX. Events after XX cancelled unless named exceptions.)
- Campus Closed (remote day, faculty will decide how to cover the course information. Events cancelled, and offices closed.)
The official methods of communicating closures or cancellations are:
- MHSL-Official Email
- MHSL-Faculty Email
- MHSL-Student Email
- Campus Alert System
- Canvas Announcements
- MHSL Website
- Local News Outlets
There may be times when the School continues normal operations, but winter weather and road conditions still have an impact on the commute to and from campus. Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to use their best judgement when traveling in such conditions. If necessary, based on individual circumstances due to weather impacts (i.e., an employee lives in a rural area where roads are not plowed as early as they are in the city), supervisors are encouraged to provide the option of some flexibility for employees such as a late start or remote work as employees manage road conditions.
Disclaimer
Mitchell Hamline policies are for informational purposes and to set expectations and do not constitute a contract, either express or implied, with any employee, student, or third party. Subject to applicable law, Mitchell Hamline reserves the right to amend, modify, or terminate any of the policies or procedures described herein, in whole or in part, at any time, with or without prior notice, at its sole discretion. Mitchell Hamline also may choose not to apply a policy in certain circumstances if it determines a different course of action is more appropriate.