Adverse Weather & Emergency Closing Policy

POLICY

Adverse weather conditions may include: a substantial number of downed trees and/or power lines, high winds, tornadoes, hurricanes, uncontrolled flooding, accumulation of snow, ice, or water, or loss of critical utilities. In the event of a loss of utilities, the expected duration of the loss will be a consideration to determine the need to alter the normal operations of the College.

Emergency events may include: criminal acts of terrorism, fire, chemical spills, toxic odors, biological and public health threats, sustained loss of infrastructure (power, heat, water), and special directives from public safety authorities. 

Condition 1 – Modified Schedule - when an event has significant potential to or is already negatively impacting local area commuting, important campus services, or the efficient functioning of campus buildings and grounds. The College may determine to delay employees reporting to work or the early dismissal of employees. Remote work is permissible with prior supervisor approval, depending on the nature of the employee’s job. Individual faculty are encouraged to offer online asynchronous assignments and to arrange make-up work for students unable to report to class due to the weather event. Catawba Online class schedules are not impacted.

Condition 2 – Remote Teaching/Learning/Working Schedule - when safety risks or logistical challenges are more severe and there is a substantial interest in having a relatively limited number of individuals travel to or remain on campus. The College is open on a limited basis with only mandatory operations functioning. Only essential employees will report to work or remain on the job unless otherwise directed by supervisors. Faculty and staff are expected to continue instruction and/or work remotely where possible. Catawba Online class schedules are not impacted.

Condition 3 - Closure – is limited to events that pose the most severe risks to health and safety or present the most difficult logistical challenges that will severely impede the efficient and effective functioning of the College. Only essential employees will report to work or remain on the job unless otherwise directed by supervisors. Essential employees who are not needed for a particular adverse weather or other emergency events as determined by their supervisor may be instructed not to report to work. Faculty and staff are expected to continue instruction and/or work remotely until further notice.

College officials should consider the totality of factors in making decisions regarding severe weather events including:

  • National Weather Service Alerts and Warnings
  • Reported Road Conditions in Rowan and Surrounding Counties
  • Law Enforcement Directives
  • Status of Area Mass Transit
  • Status of Campus Utility Systems
  • Executive Orders from Local Government or the Governor*

*A “State of Emergency” declaration from the Governor or an advisory by law enforcement does not automatically necessitate the suspension of operations but will be an important consideration in determining the College’s operational status.

Weather Monitoring and Decision Process

  • The Director of Public Safety or his/her designee will monitor weather forecasts and road conditions.
  • The Grounds Manager will monitor campus parking lots, sidewalks, and facilities for weather impacts.
  • When necessary, the Director of Public Safety or Grounds Manager will alert the Director of Human Resources to discuss current and future weather conditions that may impact the safety of our students, faculty, and staff, or the ability of the College to operate normally.
  • If a recommendation to alter class or office schedules is warranted, the Director of Human Resources will connect via conference call with the President or the Vice President designee, Executive Vice President and Provost or the Provost designee, Senior Vice President of Student Affairs, and Director of Marketing and Communications with a recommendation to delay, dismiss early, change to a remote teaching/learning/working day, or close.
  • The Director of Marketing and Communications will communicate the change in operations.
    • An alert will be sent via CatawbAlerts.
    • An email with additional details will be sent to all students, faculty, and staff via their Catawba email account.
    • The schedule change will be shared on a banner on the College home page (catawba.edu).
    • The schedule change will be shared on Catawba’s on-campus digital signage.
    • The schedule change will be shared on the College’s official social media platforms.
    • For a delay or closing, the schedule change will also be shared with local media outlets.
  • The Executive Vice President and Provost will issue any necessary academic-related announcements.

Timely Decisions for Change of Operations and Announcement

All efforts are made to decide by 6:30 am for a delay, change to remote teaching/learning/working, or closing of campus before individuals begin making their way to campus.

All efforts are made to decide by 12 pm (Noon) for an early dismissal.

It is the expectation that staff will make every reasonable and safe attempt to report to work when the College remains open, even if classes are canceled. If a staff member determines it is in their best interest concerning personal safety to leave work early, delay coming to campus, or not come to campus when College offices remain open, they will be expected to work remotely with approval from their immediate supervisor. If that is not possible due to the position or other circumstances, an employee must use vacation or personal time to cover the time not worked. Employees on sick leave, vacation, or other time off on a day of closing, delay, or early dismissal will not receive additional compensation.  

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Adverse Weather & Emergency Closing

The safety of our students, faculty, and staff is our number one priority in making any weather and emergency incident decisions about campus.

Catawba College is open year-round except for designated holidays.

The College will remain open, and classes held unless there is clear and substantiated evidence to necessitate otherwise such as inclement weather. The safety of our students, faculty, and staff is our number one priority in making any weather and emergency-related decisions about campus.

The President of the College, or a Vice President as the President’s designee, will determine if the College has an early dismissal, is delayed, changes to remote teaching/learning/working, or is closed due to hazardous conditions. College operations will remain open and essential employees* should report to work unless otherwise notified.

Generally, such actions fall under three categories:

Condition 1 – Modified Schedule - when an event has significant potential to or is already negatively impacting local area commuting, important campus services, or the efficient functioning of campus buildings and grounds. The College may determine to delay employees reporting to work or the early dismissal of employees. Remote work is permissible with prior supervisor approval, depending on the nature of the employee’s job. Individual faculty are encouraged to offer asynchronous online assignments and arrange make-up work for students unable to report to class due to the weather event. Catawba Online class schedules are not impacted.

Condition 2 – Remote Teaching/Learning/Working Schedule - when safety risks or logistical challenges are more severe and there is a substantial interest in having a relatively limited number of individuals travel to or remain on campus. The College is open on a limited basis with only mandatory operations functioning. Only essential employees will report to work or remain on the job unless otherwise directed by supervisors. Faculty and staff are asked to teach and work remotely where possible.

Condition 3 - Closure – is limited to events that pose the most severe risks to health and safety or present the most difficult logistical challenges that will severely impede the efficient and effective functioning of the College. Only essential employees will report to work or remain on the job unless otherwise directed by supervisors. Essential employees who are not needed for a particular adverse weather or other emergency events as determined by their supervisor may be instructed not to report to work.

When the campus is closed, all events (including those sponsored by off-campus organizations), are canceled. Announcements about individual departments or program activities will not be made.

College Delay/Early Dismissal: When an official delayed start or early dismissal announcement is made, it will include the timeframe to which it applies. In these circumstances, weather and other reports suggest that conditions will improve or deteriorate later in the day. A delay or early dismissal allows students, faculty, and staff additional time to arrive or leave campus, limiting the number of people commuting during hazardous conditions. Essential employees* will be required to report to work as normally scheduled.

*Essential employees are personnel involved in operations that must continue including:

  • Public Safety
  • Dining Services
  • Maintenance
  • Housekeeping
  • Student Affairs

Your supervisor will determine exactly which employees are essential to the operations of the College and will communicate that with you.

Catawba will use several methods to communicate in the event of a cancellation:

  • CatawbAlert
  • Official Catawba College Social Media
  • Catawba College Homepage
  • Radio and TV
  • On-Campus Digital Signage

Individual students, faculty, and staff, many of whom commute to Salisbury from a multi-county area, must use their own best judgment regarding their ability to travel safely to and from campus given local conditions.

CatawbAlerts

All new students, faculty, and staff must create an account to receive CatawbAlerts: 

On-Campus Member Sign-Up  

Family and community members may also sign up at: 
Off-Campus Member Sign-Up

Each user may register up to two text (cell) numbers, six (off-campus) e-mail addresses, and four voice numbers. When an emergency occurs on campus — anything from inclement weather to a life-threatening situation — a brief CatawbAlert will promptly be sent via the numbers or e-mail addresses you have registered. The CatawbAlert is a condensed summary of an emergency situation; characters are limited due to constraints on the length of text messages.