1. CAMPUS DECISION MAKERS:
In the event of inclement weather, Campus Safety personnel will monitor weather reports and campus road, sidewalk, and building conditions.
Power Outage:
In the event of a power outage, Campus Safety will collaborate with Plant Services to monitor the situation. Campus Safety will inform the Senior Vice President for Financial Administration (VPFA) of the conditions; the VPFA will contact the Senior Vice President for Academic Administration (VPAA) and the President, as well as other Cabinet members as appropriate. (The Associate Vice President for Facilities is the backup when the VPFA is unavailable.)
Inclement Weather:
In the event of inclement weather involving possible class cancellation, Campus Safety will inform the VPAA of the conditions; the VPAA will contact the VPFA and the President, as well as other Cabinet members as appropriate. (The Associate Vice President for Academic Administration is the backup when the VPAA is unavailable.)
2. COMMUNICATION SCHEDULE:
When possible in advance, Marketing and University Relations will inform the campus WHEN and WHERE to look for official notice of school opening/closure.
When possible:
- By 4:45 a.m., Campus Safety will inform the appropriate Senior Cabinet member of the situation.
- By 5:15 a.m., the Senior Cabinet team member will inform Marketing and University Relations of the decision to open/close.
- By 6:00 a.m., Campus Safety will communicate the decision to campus via the text alert system.
- By 6:00 a.m., Marketing and University Relations will communicate the decision to campus via email and web.
Note: Announcements regarding closures for evening classes and activities will be made by 4 p.m.
3. COMMUNICATION METHODS:
Indicated personnel will announce the open/close status via the following methods, in the following sequence:
CAMPUS SAFETY:
The Emergency Alert Notification text message is used ONCE for first notification of snow status then refer to other resources. Example: “Southern will be closed on [day] due to unsafe conditions. For any further updates, go to southern.edu or call 236.2000”. (Texts go to those who have signed up and have current cell number information validated in the system. Web address for signup is
https://www.southern.edu/notify/Pages/textmessagealertsignup.aspx
.)
MARKETING AND UNIVERSITY RELATIONS:
-
- E-mail notification via the Alert email list
- The university website – southern.edu.
- Notification of status to the Wright Hall, Talge Hall, Thatcher South, and Thatcher Hall reception desks.
- Notification of 1.800.SOUTHERN call center via Director of Admissions or VP for Enrollment Management.
- Notification of status closures due to weather will be provided to WRCB-TV, WTVC-TV, WDEF-TV, Chattanooga Times Free Press and other media outlets as appropriate.
4. EMPLOYEE INCLEMENT WEATHER PROCEDURE:
Closed Campus:
If the campus status is “closed” during inclement weather or power outage, employees should remain safely at their residence. No classes are to be held. Hourly employees will receive pay for their regularly scheduled work hours. Emergency personnel are required to report to work as usual.
Open Campus:
If the campus status is “open” during inclement weather, employees who are unable to arrive for campus work will need to report PTO time to receive pay, or will need to take a vacation day.
5. STUDENT INCLEMENT WEATHER PROCEDURE:
Closed Campus:
If the campus status is “closed” during inclement weather or power outage, students should remain safely at their residence. No classes will be held.