Under Inclement Weather: Memo to College Community

This is a reminder of the process for when the College may be closed, have a delayed opening or an early release due to inclement weather conditions.

Please note that the factors that determine College closings, delayed openings, and early release are different for our College than those that affect a high school, elementary school, business or other agencies. More importantly please be aware that most of the radio and TV station weather ‘codes’ were designed to assist the K through 12 system, and therefore may have limited relevance to the College’s specific situation. We try to use codes that most closely reflect the status of the College.

The President has authority to direct College closings due to local weather conditions or other emergency situations. Previously weather related closings were directed by the Governor and while the Governor still has the authority to close state agencies due to weather emergencies, the President now has the authority to direct College Closings, Delayed Openings and Early Release. Individual faculty members are not authorized to cancel classes due to weather conditions.

College Closing

When the Governor asks that “non-essential” state employees not report to work due to extreme adverse weather or other emergency condition, Middlesex Community College will be closed. When the Governor asks that “non-essential” state employees delay their arrival at work until after the usual opening time for their agency due to extreme adverse weather or other emergency condition, Middlesex will also have delayed openings. The same holds true when the Governor orders an early release of “non-essential” state employees.

In the absence of a directive from the Governor, the President may close the college for a full day or a portion thereof based upon local weather conditions or College emergency. Partial day closing of the College will be referred to as a delayed opening or an early release.

When the President directs that the College will be closed, employees are not expected to report to work, except that the President may require the attendance of employees in critical service positions such as maintenance, security and their supervisors. Employees who are not expected to report to work need not charge the time off to accrued leave balances. If the President authorizes cancellation of classes and scheduled educational activities for an entire day, the College will be closed.

When weather conditions are poor before the start of a day when classes are in session, the decision on whether or not to modify the class schedule will be made no later than 6:00 a.m. The local radio and television stations listed below will be notified by college officials, and the stations will make appropriate announcements. Please note that although the message will be conveyed to the media prior to 6:00 a.m., the announcement may not appear until after 6:00 a.m. Additionally, there will be a message posted on the MxCC website at www.mxcc.commnet.edu, a text message will be sent to everyone who had registered through the myCommnet Alert System, and an announcement made on the college’s main phone line, (860) 343-5800. (When calling the main phone number, be sure to choose option 1 for School Closings.)

Delayed Openings

Delayed openings are similar to College closings in that, with the exception of employees in critical service positions and their supervisors who may be required to report, staff members are not expected to report to work until the specified opening time and need not charge the time off to accrued leave balances. Employees who do not report to work by the specified opening time who are covered by a collective bargaining agreement that excuses late arrivals under specified conditions are entitled to the benefit of such provision. However, provisions for late arrival are to be measured from the beginning of the employee’s shift. Employees who do not report to work at all on a day when the College opening has been delayed will charge the entire shift to an appropriate leave balance.

The College essentially does not ‘delay classes’ but rather ‘delays opening’ resulting in effectively canceling classes that were scheduled to start prior to the College being open. Unless the College has made an announcement concerning classes it is expected that classes will be held according to schedule.

If it has been determined that the College will have a delayed opening, the local radio and television stations will be notified by college officials, and the stations will make appropriate announcements. Additionally, a specific opening time will be posted on our website, a text message will be sent to everyone who had registered through the myCommnet Alert System, and an announcement will be on the College’s main line, 860.343.5800. (When calling the main phone number, be sure to choose option 1 for School Closings.) Any classes that begin before the specified time will not be held. All classes that begin on or after the specified time will be held as scheduled.

Early Release

If the President directs an early release, the President shall indicate the time when the College will be closed for the day. Employees who are at work and who leave when the College closes need not charge the time remaining in their shift to an accrued leave balance. Employees whose scheduled work shifts have not begun when the President announces early release need not report to work; however, any time between the scheduled commencement of a shift and the time of College closing shall be charged to an accrued leave balance. Employees whose work shifts would not begin before the time of College closing need not charge the time to an accrued leave balance. Employees in critical service positions (e.g. snow and ice removal, facility security) and their supervisors may not be subject to the early release provisions of this policy.

In case of inclement weather occurring after the work day has begun, the decision to modify the class schedule, both at the main campus and at the extension centers, will be made as soon as practicable. If it has been determined that the College will have an early release, the local radio and television stations will be notified by college officials, and the stations will make appropriate announcements. Additionally, a specific closing time will be posted on our website, a text message will be sent to everyone who had registered through the myCommnet Alert System, and an announcement will be made on the College’s main line, 860.343.5800. (When calling the main phone number, be sure to choose option 1 for School Closings.) Additionally an e-mail and a voice mail message will be sent to MxCC employees. No classes will be held on or after the specified closing time.

Off Campus Sites

The MxCC Meriden Center will comply with the Middletown campus policy. Exception: In the event of extreme weather only in the Meriden area, the decision to cancel classes at the Meriden Center will be determined by the MxCC Meriden Center Director and the Dean of Finance and Administration.

The Old Saybrook off campus site will comply with the Middletown campus policy. Exception: In the event of extreme weather only at the off campus site, the decision to hold or cancel classes at this extension center will be made by our campus extension program director. Faculty should call the Continuing Education Office at (860) 343-5865. Note: MxCC classes that are held at the Old Saybrook site are ultimately subject to the cancellation policy of Old Saybrook High School.

In Conclusion

The decision to close the College, delay an opening or grant an early release is predicated upon driving conditions, the weather forecast, and the state of the parking lots. While it is impossible to please everyone with the decisions made or the timing of those decisions, they are made with the desire to balance personal safety with the mission of the College and the expectation of our providing services in an environment where inclement weather is a factor.

The following radio and television stations will be notified and asked to make the appropriate announcements:

Any questions regarding the inclement weather policy and practice may be directed to me.

Thank you and have a safe winter driving season.