| DATE: | November 9, 2007 |
| TO: | College Community |
| FROM: | David W. Sykes, Dean Finance and Administration |
| RE: | Cancellations and Delays due to Inclement Weather |
It is that time of year again when we need to remind everyone of the process whereby the College may be closed or classes delayed due to weather conditions. As in the past I have attached information that is intended to clarify to the extent possible the impact on faculty, staff, and students of the various weather related situations we may encounter.
Please note that the factors that determine class cancellations, late openings, and closings 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 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, President Nieves 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 closing.
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 and 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.
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.
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.
Part Time Hourly Employees
When the College is closed, opening is delayed or early release is ordered, part-time hourly employees are not paid for hours not worked, unless the absence can be covered with accrued leave. Recognizing that certain groups of part-time employees are not eligible for vacation or personal leave, part-time hourly employees will be permitted to make-up missed hours whenever possible, subject to the operating needs of the College.
Should you have any questions regarding this information please feel free to direct them to either the Director of Human Resources or the Dean of Finance and Administration.
Each weather event is unique due to timing, severity and impact upon driving conditions. The announcement of closings, or delayed openings is made on the three local television networks and many area radio stations. On occasion even if the decision is conveyed to the media prior to 6:00 a.m. (as is our practice for morning weather disruptions) the announcement may not appear until after the 6:00 a.m. hour. If in doubt, the College switchboard, as well as the College website, will have messages concerning the status of classes. Absent announcements on the television, radio, switchboard, or the website, it is safe to assume that the College will be on its normal operating schedule.
The decision to delay or cancel classes 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 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. The attached chart shows the impact of the various announcements. Individual faculty members are not authorized to cancel classes due to weather conditions. Unless the College has made an announcement concerning classes it is expected that classes will be held according to schedule.
Please review the attached material. Any questions regarding the inclement weather policy and practice may be directed to me. Thank you and have a safe winter driving season.
Attachments: Class Schedule Weather Delay Grid (.pdf format)
Class Schedule Weather Delay Grid (.htm format)
