06:22:00 Inclement Weather

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to set basic guidelines regarding procedures to be followed in inclement weather situations.

Policy

All full-time fiscal year and MODFY employees of the college are expected to report for work on all regularly scheduled work days. In the event of inclement weather and/or adverse road conditions, employees unable to make it to work shall contact their immediate supervisor and make arrangements to take annual leave or if applicable, work from home. Employees are to use their own judgment in deciding whether or not they can get to and from work taking into consideration their own individual circumstances. No one is required to report to work or stay at work if weather conditions prevent safe transport. Employees electing to miss work due to adverse weather conditions must either work from home (if applicable) or file for annual leave.

In the event that the college is closed for an entire day, employees are not required to take leave. If the employee’s job is one that can accommodate working virtually, that options is available with the supervisor’s approval. However, if a decision is made during the work day to close the college for the remainder of the day or evening, employees not actually working on such a day shall be charged annual leave in accordance with current board policy.     

In the event it becomes necessary to cancel classes or close the college due to severe weather or road conditions, the procedures outlined below will be followed.

After gathering as much data as possible concerning weather and road conditions, Campus Police will consult with the vice president for Business and Finance, who will consult with the vice president for Academic Affairs, the vice president for Student Services, and the president, and a final decision is made as to whether or not classes will be cancelled or the college closed. This decision is normally made by 5:30 a.m. for day classes. A similar procedure is followed for evening classes with the final decision being made no later than 3 p.m.

Communications and Marketing staff posts the information on the college’s website homepage and on social media. Campus Police records messages on the college’s phone lines including the Student Information line, 1-800-225-4770; the Niswonger Campus, 423-798-7940; the Claiborne County Campus, 423-626-6200; and the Sevier County Campus, 865-774-5800. Campus Police also contacts all local radio and TV stations listed below:

• Morristown: WCRK AM 1150 and FM 105.7, WMTN AM 1300 and FM 93.3, WJDT FM 106.5, Newport WLIK AM 1270 and FM 97.9, WNPC AM 1060 and FM 92.3
• Knoxville: WIVK FM 107.7, WATE-TV (ABC), WBIR-TV (NBC), WVLT-TV (CBS), WIMZ FM 103.5, WOKI FM  98.7Greeneville WGRV AM 1340 and FM 99.5, WIKQ FM 103.1, WSMG AM 1450 and FM 95.5
• Rogersville: WRGS FM 94.5, WEYE-FM 104.3
• Sevierville: WSEV FM 105.5
• Tazewell: WNTT AM 1250
• Tri Cities: WKPT-TV (ABC)

Students and employees are requested to continue to monitor the college website and social media once a decision has been made because on occasion, due to an unexpected and sudden change in the weather and road conditions, decisions may change. Phone trees that are maintained by the vice presidents and individual office units are initiated after a decision is made to cancel or delay classes or to close the college prior to the beginning of a workday. When day or evening classes are in session and inclement weather necessitates class cancellation or college closure by the president, the vice president for Business and Finance notifies Campus Police and Communications and Marketing. Communications and Marketing sends out an “All Users” and “Adjunct Users” email notifying faculty and staff of the decision.

On a day or evening (beginning 4 p.m. or after) when classes are being conducted and weather conditions are questionable, students are advised to use individual judgment in attending. Students should check eLearn, as classes may be held virtually, or assignments given. Make-up time for cancelled classes may be designated at the discretion of the president.

3/06; 10/13; 05/16; 04/21