Weather-Related Delays & Closures

When deciding whether to delay opening or close the university, a variety of factors are considered, including:

  • Weather reports from the National Weather Service
  • Emergency briefings, and other weather resources
  • Rate of snowfall
  • Road conditions via UDOT
  • The ability of snow-related resources including snow removal teams and equipment

Decisions to close campus are typically sent via Code Purple, and posted to weber.edu and social media by 6 a.m. Decisions to cancel evening classes will typically be communicated by 2 p.m. If no information is shared on the university website or social media, it is expected that classes and work will be conducted as scheduled. When campuses close, this means all campuses are closed.

Visit the Code Purple website for more information about the emergency notification system and for information on how to update your personal contact information. 

Occasionally, decisions must be made to close campus without advanced notice. In these instances, information will also be communicated via Code Purple and posted on weber.edu.

Essential employees will still be expected to report to their respective campuses in many instances (e.g., housing employees, employees in Campus Safety, employees in charge of the heat plant, and snow removal). Please check with your supervisor for expectations in weather-related delays and closures. If you are unsure if you are an essential employee, discuss with your supervisor.

The university monitors other closures in the area when applicable but makes an independent decision based on the conditions of our campuses. Other schools have other additional factors to consider, such as K12 schools needing to consider children being outside, or schools having to assess their own snow removal abilities.

Faculty

In the event a weather delay or cancellation is announced, faculty will communicate with students regarding revised class expectations and/or assignments. It is expected that online and virtual classes will continue as normal.

Faculty should include statements in their syllabi of what to expect when it has been announced that class has been canceled, in accordance with PPM 4-9a. Example statements can be found on the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning website.

Asynchronous assignments can be a great way to check for understanding for making up materials missed in face-to-face courses.

Individual Level Decisions

Students and employees are responsible for assessing their individual situations in traveling to campus, even if the campus is not closed, in order to make responsible choices and take appropriate safety precautions.

It is the student and employee’s responsibility to make accommodations if they are unable to attend class or work. In the event students and employees are unable to travel to campus, but the campus is not closed, arrangements should be made with faculty and supervisors. Decisions about working from home always have to be coordinated through a supervisor. For employees who are not essential employees and are not authorized to work from home, accrued leave or leave without pay can be utilized. Check with your supervisor or Human Resources for your specific situation.