Weather Closure Policy for Areas Outside of the Fairbanks Campus
UAF Policy 04.06.141
Original Adoption: March 27, 2019
Responsible Chancellor's Cabinet Members: Chief of Staff
Responsible Department/Offices: Chancellor’s Office
POLICY STATEMENT
Areas outside of the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) campus will close when severe weather conditions compromise the safety of its students, faculty and staff, in areas outside of the Fairbanks campus to include, rural campuses, remote field sites and when in-transit to or from rural campuses and remote field site locations.
BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
This policy is intended to improve the safety of students, faculty, staff, and visitors as it relates to areas outside of the UAF campus, rural campuses and remote field sites during extreme weather conditions.
A decision to close will normally be made by 5:30 a.m. of the emergency day but may be made at any time.
There may be instances where the university’s Fairbanks campus is open and areas outside of the campus and/or rural campuses are closed because of severe weather or emergency conditions.
UAF campuses do not have a cut-off temperature at which classes and/or activities are cancelled.
DEFINITIONS
- Areas Outside of the Fairbanks Campus:
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Any area outside of University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) main campus location in Fairbanks, Alaska.
- Severe Weather/Emergency Conditions:
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Heavy rain, snow or ice accumulations causing slippery conditions during winter months, flooding, or earthquakes damage or other conditions that significantly affects the normal operations making it difficult to travel to work.
- State of Emergency:
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Only the governor and/or mayors of affected areas can declare a state of emergency. In the event that a state of emergency is called, all University of Alaska Fairbanks staff members should contact their supervisor for instructions. Positions assigned to the Essential Service category must report to or remain at work as scheduled or directed.
- Hazardous Conditions:
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Weather or emergency conditions that occur when the local school systems are closed and the health system and university offices are open and services continue. During these conditions, employing units will provide operating and attendance guidelines.
- Essential Service:
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Jobs that are required to maintain essential services and operations during any severe weather or emergency condition while ensuring the safety and health of all students, staff and faculty. During severe weather/emergency conditions or when a state of emergency has been issued, essential service employees will report to or remain at work and transportation services may be provided if determined by department.
- Reserve Service:
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Jobs that are not immediately required to provide service but function as "delayed service" during severe weather or emergency conditions and may be upgraded to "essential service" based on the needs of the department/organization. “Essential service” upgrade will be determined at the time of each severe weather/emergency condition event.
- Delayed Service:
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Jobs that can be delayed until severe weather/emergency conditions have passed. Employees do not report to or remain at work and no transportation services will be provided at affected campus locations.
REFERENCES RELIED UPON
University of Alaska Notification System
University of Alaska Fairbanks Alerts
RESPONSIBILITIES
During extraordinary times of severe weather or emergency conditions, some positions require on-site presence to continue operations, student support and research functions. To ensure continuous operations during these conditions, all jobs are categorized into one of three service levels in support of the policy:
Essential Service: During severe weather/emergency conditions or when a state of emergency has been issued, essential service employees will report to or remain at work and transportation services may be provided if determined by department. Reserve service employees may be upgraded to “Essential Service” employees based on the needs of the department/organization.
Delayed Service: Employees do not report to or remain at work and no transportation services will be provided at affected campus locations. Reserve service employees are considered Delayed Service employees unless the department/organization upgrades to Essential Service.
NON-COMPLIANCE
Compliance with this policy is required to ensure the safety of UAF students, faculty and staff.
EXCEPTIONS
N/A
PROCEDURES
If in Anchorage, Palmer or the Mat-Su region, guidance from the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) should be followed.
If in Juneau, Sitka or the Ketchikan region, guidance from University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) should be followed.
If in Bethel, Dillingham, Kotzebue, Nome or any rural campus/site operated through the College of Rural and Community Development, the dean or director will use their discretion to determine campus closure. If none apply, employees should use school district transit or closure messaging.
If none of the above apply, employees should use best judgement.
Affected employees must contact their supervisor notifying them of their absence due to extreme weather conditions and/or school district transit or closure messaging.
UAF main campus weather closures or warnings are posted by the university at the UAF Alert website.
POLICY APPROVED BY:
Daniel M. White, Chancellor
University of Alaska Fairbanks