Reminder: Campus inclement weather policies

With winter-like weather returning, the Office of Human Resources is reminding employees about campus inclement weather guidelines.

The chancellor or her designee is responsible for determining if classes will be canceled or postponed or some university services are suspended due to inclement weather. The chancellor’s decisions will be based on the safety and welfare of students, faculty and staff.

As a reminder, colleges, schools and other campus units can not close on their own.

For locations outside of Madison, deans and directors must receive authorization from the Office of the Chancellor before directing employees not to report to work or sending employees home.

Some university services and functions must continue to operate regardless of weather conditions (e.g. University Housing, UWPD, power plant operations). University Communications will provide weather-related announcements via email, media, wisc.edu and social media.

Employees are expected to report to work unless directed otherwise. Each employee is advised to use discretion and caution regarding their health and safety.

An employee who reasonably determines that it is not safe to travel will not be subject to discipline for being absent. Supervisors are expected to honor reasonable requests of employees to arrive late or to leave early because of inclement weather. Employees are expected to notify their supervisors if they cannot report to work or will report late.

Any student who has concerns about reaching campus safely as a result of a weather situation should contact his or her instructor or department chair.

View the complete policy (PDF).