Plan provides details for severe weather, essential personnel

December 7, 2017 | UToday
By Christine Wasserman



The University of Toledo’s Continuity of Operations Plan helps to ensure students, faculty and staff are safe during snow emergencies when classes need to be delayed or canceled.

Although essential services continue and the University and UT Medical Center remain open during severe weather, classes and campus events may need to be delayed or canceled.

University Photographer Daniel Miller took this shot in 2014.

“Keeping our campus community members, our patients and guests safe is our No. 1 concern,” said Larry Kelley, executive vice president for finance and administration. “We strive to communicate as quickly as possible through multiple avenues when severe weather may impact campus operations.”

If a major snowstorm or ice storm affects classes, the University will announce this information through the following communication channels:

• UT Alert text message and email — visit utalert.utoledo.edu to sign up;

• Website — utoledo.edu and myut.utoledo.edu;

• Social media — UT on Facebook and Twitter;

• Phone — 419.530.SNOW (7669); and

• Local media outlets, including TV and radio stations.

Decisions to delay or cancel classes due to weather are based on the condition of UT campuses and area roads, as well as reports from local transit authorities and weather forecasters.

“Even though we must weigh multiple factors when making decisions to cancel or delay classes, we do our best to make these announcements in three phases when possible: to suspend morning classes by 6 a.m., afternoon classes by 10 a.m. and evening classes by 3 p.m.,” Kelley said. “This approach enables us to have flexibility should conditions improve throughout the day.”

The University’s policy is to remain open whenever possible in order to minimize interruption of teaching and research.

When there is a temporary suspension of University operations due to weather-related conditions or other emergencies, the Continuity of Operations Plan is enacted to continue essential operations; ensure timely and ongoing communications; and protect the health and safety of the campus community, patients and guests.

The areas defined as “essential” in maintaining continuous operations during a temporary suspension of operations include:

• Clinical operations;

• Campus safety and security;

• Information technology;

• Academic and student services;

• Supply chain operations (for clinical operations only);

• Facility services; and

• Employee payroll and human resources information system services.

Employees who work in these areas may be designated as essential personnel. As a result, they are required to report to work when the Continuity of Operations Plan is activated. These employees will be notified of their designation by their supervisors.

If employees are stopped by authorities during a state of emergency, such as by the police, they should show their Essential Personnel Restricted Travel Memo and explain they are on their way to work. County officials recognize that even during a state of emergency, certain employees must report to work.

Throughout the coming winter, campus members are reminded to use extra caution when walking around campus in snowy and icy conditions. Additionally, sightings of walkways that need to be cleared may be reported to the grounds crew on Main Campus at 419.530.1000 and on Health Science Campus at 419.383.5353.

If you have questions about campus operations and severe weather, talk with your supervisor or visit utoledo.edu/depts/hr/essentialemployee.html.

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