Every person on campus has a role to play in preparing to cope effectively with upcoming severe winter weather.
All staff, supervisors and directors should take the time now to:
- review your unit's inclement weather staffing plan;
- discuss specific concerns with supervisors;
- know where to get Cornell-specific information about potential closings; and
- develop your personal emergency plan for yourself and your family.
The safety of our students and employees is the first priority during weather emergencies. Cornell will close whenever Tompkins County roads are closed. If you live in another county, or if conditions in your area are dangerous despite roads being open, use your best judgement on whether you should travel to campus. Safety comes first. Supervisors should be open and flexible in discussing employees' individual circumstances.
If Cornell officially closes, employees receive paid-days-off. Employees will not be penalized if they choose not to travel during dangerous weather when road advisories have been issued. In these cases, employees are released from the advance notice requirement to use vacation or personal accred time. Employees may also make arrangements with their supervisors work from home. Again, open communication and advance planning are vitally important.
All managers and staff should meet now to plan for inclement weather and to clarify who is expected to come to campus. Staff should relate concerns about travel conditions and/or family issues so that advance planning can be implemented. Planning for inclement weather and other emergencies should be an ongoing, mutually respectful process.
Decisions on whether to delay opening the University or to have a full or partial closing due to inclement weather are based on weather forecasting, timing, road closures in Tompkins County, and decisions by transport providers and other educational institutions. Inclement Weather Policy 8.2 mandates that the Executive Vice President make decisions regarding the University's operating status. Those decisions will be made and communicated in as timely a manner as conditions allow.
We will communicate weather emergency decisions as widely as possible using:
- local news media
- websites (CUINFO, www.info.cornell.edu/CUHomePage/Status.html) and http://cuinfo.cornell.edu/SpecialConditions/
- e-mails and listservs (Univ-Closing-L-request@cornell.edu)
- the Inclement Weather Phone at 255-3377.
University Policy 8.2, Inclement Weather
Essential Employee Travel Statement
Executive Summary Snow Emergency Response