Severe Weather Policy

In accordance with the core values at BGSU, the Severe Weather Closing Policy equally values the safety and lives of students, faculty, and staff, while recognizing that the effective operation of the University must be maintained.

Severe weather may result in transportation/safety problems for employees and students. If weather warrants closing or limiting the hours of the University, the decision to close will include both classes and nonessential areas on campus. If classes are cancelled, nonessential areas will be closed as well. The only services remaining open would be operations deemed essential, such as preparation and serving of meals to students, provision of lighting and heating to University buildings, law enforcement and public safety, and snow removal from parking areas and sidewalks.

In the event of severe weather that could affect safety, health, or access to the University, the President or designee will have the final authority to make the decision to close the University (classes and all non-essential areas on campus). If closure is determined, the University will remain closed until the beginning of the next workday.

Consideration of Conditions

A decision to close the University may be based on weather information gathered from the State Highway Patrol, local police agencies surrounding the main campus, official weather reports and forecasts, and consultation with BGSU physical facilities and public safety offices. In most cases, the University will not close for winter conditions unless the Wood County Sheriff’s Department declares a Level 3 emergency. Below are the winter weather conditions classified by the Sheriff’s Department:

• Level 1. Snow Alert - Roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Roads are also icy, drive carefully.
• Level 2. Snow Advisory - Roadways are hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Only those who feel it is necessary to drive should be out on the roadways. Contact your employer to see if you should report to work.
• Level 3. Snow Emergency - All roadways are closed to non-emergency personnel. No one should be out during these conditions unless it is absolutely necessary to travel. All employees should contact their employers to see if they should report to work. Those traveling on the roadways may subject themselves to arrest.

If a level 3 emergency is not declared, additional factors that will enter into the decision to close the University are: hazardous road conditions; the presence of ice, snow, or both; amount of wind; presence of daylight; the weather forecast; severe cold; and, consultation with the BGSU Police Department and the sheriff’s office.

Communication

In the event of severe weather, the President’s or designee’s decision to close the University will be communicated by the Office of Marketing and Communications, which will notify the University Fact Line (372-2445), WBGU-FM (88.1), WFAL-AM (1610), WFOB-AM (1430), WCWA-AM (1230), WLQR-AM (1470), WFIN-AM (1330), and WGTE-FM (91.3). In addition, WBGU-TV (Channel 27) and four Toledo television stations (Channels 11, 13, 24 and 36) will be notified. Faculty, staff, and students will be sent an email announcement, and information related to the emergency will be posted on the University web site and sent out to subscribers of Alert BG (text-messaging system).

Efforts will be made to notify media, send email, and post web announcements and text-messages by 6:30 a.m. on the day of closing. In the event of an evening closure, Marketing and Communications will attempt to notify the campus and the media by 4 p.m. Employees and students may also call the University answering service number (419-372-SNOW) to confirm whether the University is closed or open. Employees and students should verify media announcements by consulting multiple official sources.

If the University is open but an individual faculty member cancels class, the faculty member will make a reasonable effort to notify students enrolled in the class.

For more information, please reference The Severe Weather Closing Policy and Procedures  from A Handbook of Commonly Shared Employment Policies for BGSU Faculty, Administrative and Classified Staff.