Weather Emergency Procedures

In case of a weather emergency the Middletown Campus alerts regional television and radio stations regarding closings or delays. These announcements should say something regarding the cancellation of classes or start times different from normal schedules, and then cite either Plan A or Plan B for staff.

People are encouraged to call the weather emergency line at 727-3477 to get up-to-date class and event schedule changes during weather emergencies when the campus closes or alters the schedule.

To avoid confusion regarding campus closings on snow days, the following codes have been adopted regardless of what media announcements may say about classes:

Plan A - Classes are Canceled and all staff are expected to report to work

A decision to cancel classes does not constitute closing campus. Therefore, all staff will be expected to report to work as scheduled. University personnel who find themselves unable to report to work due to adverse weather and road conditions should notify their supervisors as soon as possible. One campus may cancel classes while the other two conduct classes as usual.

Classified staff who are tardy in reporting to work or are unable to report to work, may use available vacation, compensatory time, or personal time to be paid for the time missed. Classified staff with no available vacation, compensatory or personal time may make up the lost time during the current payroll period; or take the time without pay. If the time lost cannot be made up in the current pay period, employees with no available leave can make up the time in the following two (2) pay periods as overtime equivalent. Example: if eight (8) hours were lost, the equivalent overtime hours in the following two (2) pay periods would be 5.34 total overtime hours worked, if three (3) hours were lost, the equivalent overtime hours would be 2.0 total overtime hours worked.

Unclassified staff who are unable to report to work must use vacation for a half day or more.

Plan B - University or Individual Campus is Closed Due to Weather Conditions

Only designated weather-emergency staff should report to work. Weather-emergency staff are those designated in the Police Department; Physical Facilities Department; Department of Housing, Dining and Guest Services; Telecommunications Office; and others designated by the department heads as "weather-emergency staff". All other faculty and staff are urged not to come to campus. It is important to remember that one campus could close and the others remain open depending on campus weather and specific road conditions.

Weather emergency staff should report to work. On such occasions, all classified employees who are weather-emergency staff are required to report to work and will receive double time for all hours worked. Those employees who are not weather-emergency staff should not report to work and will receive regular pay for their scheduled shift.

Unclassified staff will receive their regular pay whether or not they are required to report to work.

Adverse Weather Conditions Arising During the Work Period

In the event of actual or pending adverse weather conditions, classified employees, with the supervisor's approval, who report late or leave early, may use available vacation, compensatory time, or personal time; make up the lost time during the current payroll period; or take the time without pay.

Please remember, during weather emergencies, to listen to one of the designated radio stations for information regarding the University’s operations. Hopefully, having the designated Plans A and B will make the communications easier.

If you have any questions regarding these procedures, please do not hesitate to contact the Personnel Office, 15 Roudebush, 529-3131.

Tornado Information and Instructions

Tornado Watch is issued when the weather conditions suggest the possibility of a tornado. In this instance, turn your radio or television to a local station for announcements that cancel the watch or upgrade the condition to a tornado warning. Radio stations in Middletown include: WPFB 910AM and 105.9FM.

Tornado Warning means a tornado has been sighted in the area. In this instance, stay calm and immediately go to a designated shelter area in a building (typically a lower level area away from windows, glass cabinets, and other glass fixtures). If a tornado touchdown occurs, curl up on the floor, face down, and cover your head with hands and arms. Please note that the sirens are tested the first Wednesday of each month at noon.

The Middletown-area weather sirens (a continuous tone for three minutes every fifteen minutes) are intended to alert people involved in outside activities to a tornado warning. If you are outside in open country, locate the nearest depression such as a ditch or ravine, lie flat in it, and cover your head.