Snowstorm in the forecast? What you need to know

Now that the region has had its first taste of snow for the season, here’s a reminder of what the campus community should know when there’s wintry weather ahead at UB.

Several factors considered when cancelling classes

UB’s Office of Emergency Management monitors the weather when severe conditions are in the forecast and consults with the Winter Weather Advisory Group to determine whether conditions warrant recommending to the president that he cancel or delay classes and activities for the day.

Road conditions; area travel bans and restrictions; capacity to clear campus roadways, parking lots and sidewalks; and the ability to provide bus service on and between campuses are all taken into consideration. More information about changes to scheduled operations can be found online.

Watch for emails and texts

If the decision is made to cancel classes, the UB community is primarily notified through UB Alert. Sign up, if you haven’t already. The system sends emergency texts to the cell phones of those who have signed up and emails to everyone who has a UB address.

Students are automatically enrolled in the system, a change made this year, but staff and faculty still must sign up to receive texts. Notification also will be made on UB’s homepage, through UB’s social media, the 645-NEWS hotline and traditional media outlets.

And remember: cancellation applies to classes that are both in person and remote.

Check in with your supervisors

When UB cancels classes and activities because of a snowstorm, employees who do not report for work must take vacation time or otherwise charge their absence to appropriate leave accruals. Employees may want to review procedures for cancellations and first consult with their supervisors.

Employees who provide essential services will be notified by their supervisors if they should remain at or report to work in the event of severe weather. Those who cannot safely get to work also must use vacation time or appropriate leave accruals. More information is available online.

Safety is primary

If classes and campus activities are not cancelled but conditions may be inclement where you live, use your best judgment when considering traveling to and from campus, and communicate with your supervisor.

Those same safety considerations apply to students. If classes are not canceled but students are unable to get to campus safely due to the weather conditions where they live, they should notify their instructors.

Students should not be penalized if they cannot make it to class or a campus job because of severe weather. Faculty should provide reasonable accommodations for students who miss class, an assignment or exam because of hazardous travel conditions. More information on this policy is available online.