I. Purpose

This policy establishes campus academic and operational impacts during inclement weather and other emergencies, and is applicable to all students, faculty, classified staff, university staff and student employees at the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder).

Circumstances that may require that CU Boulder be closed include but are not limited to inclement weather such as snow, ice, tornadoes, and other weather-related conditions; flood, fire, chemical spills, air pollution advisories and other similar disasters; and acts of violent crime, terrorism and other major threats to personal and community safety.

II. Policy 

During any emergency, the safety of students, faculty, and staff is paramount. At the same time, CU Boulder has important research, teaching, service, and outreach missions, and must maintain continuous and effective business operations with essential and critical personnel. With due consideration to safety, CU Boulder will remain open and operate normally to the greatest extent possible. Faculty, staff, and students should evaluate their own circumstances carefully, exercise appropriate judgment, and take responsibility for their safety when making decisions during an emergency.

The Chancellor will determine if CU Boulder closes, has an early closure or has a delayed opening.  Under the Inclement Weather policy for the State of Colorado, each university establishes its own inclement weather policy. Therefore, CU Boulder campus closure decisions may differ from those of other state institutions of higher education or state offices.  Employees and students are expected to comply with instructions provided by the CU Boulder administration.

In anticipation of a closure, departments may choose to provide overnight accommodations for essential and critical employees.  If an employee chooses not to utilize the accommodations and subsequently cannot travel to campus, the employee may be subject to discipline.   

III. Definitions

A. Open for Business

All classes, campus events, facilities, and venues are open and on schedule (see Procedures).

B. Delayed Start

Classes, campus events, facilities, and venues are opened later than normal start time (see Procedures).

C. Early Closure

Classes, campus events, facilities, and venues are closed prior to 5:00 PM (see Procedures).

D. Class Cancellation 

All in-person and remote (synchronous) classes are canceled. Class Cancellation may be issued in conjunction with an Administrative Closure (see Procedures).

E. Administrative Closure

Administrative functions of the campus are closed.  Administrative Closure may be issued in conjunction with Class Cancellation (see Procedures).

F. Campus Safety Closure

The campus is closed for major safety concerns.  Examples include large floods, large fires, or large power outages. Critical infrastructure and research will continue to be supported (see Procedures).

G. Essential and Critical Services 

Essential and Critical Services are eligible classified staff and university staff positions that perform law enforcement, housing, food services, plant operations, snow removal and other services directly necessary for the health, safety, and welfare of our students, research operations, and community.   These positions can be required to work and/or remain on campus to perform essential and/or emergency services without delay and/or without interruption. 

For full definition:  https://www.colorado.edu/hr/essential-and-critical-services

Procedures 

I. Decision Making

The decision to close, not to open, or to reopen the campus will be made by the Chancellor or (designee). The Chancellor may consult with various individuals on campus and ask for recommendations, but the Chancellor (or designee) will make the final decision.

Conditions that may require a decision to close or not to open the campus should be communicated through the Provost, Chief Operating Officer, or appropriate Vice Chancellor to the Chancellor at the earliest possible time. Public safety is the primary consideration in closure decisions. In this regard, the University Police Chief (or designee- Emergency Management) will be responsible for advising the Associate Vice Chancellor for Public Safety on safety-related conditions. This advisory and/or recommendation will be made after consultation with other appropriate agencies, such as Facilities Management, Environmental Health & Safety, the Colorado State Patrol, and/or applicable agencies. The Associate Vice Chancellor for Public Safety will then advise or recommend to the Chancellor an appropriate course of action.

  1. Notification  

The University Police Chief (or designee) will initiate an advisory call to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Public Safety if conditions are such that opening is in question. The Associate Vice Chancellor for Public Safety will then contact the Chancellor. Once the Chancellor has made the decision, the University Police Department will communicate that decision to the following, since these units receive many inquiries regarding decisions on closing and/or have follow-up responsibilities:

  • Strategic Relations and Communications Facilities Management, Service Center Facilities Management, Facilities Operations Housing and Dining Services
  • Emergency Management 
  • Strategic Relations and Communications will notify those who have signed up for emergency alerts of campus closures via the text messaging service. Individuals may sign up for this service at alerts.colorado.edu. In case of emergency, please go to www.colorado.edu for detailed information.
  • The University "hotline" service within the campus telecommunications system will provide a recorded message for callers who are unsure about whether the campus is closed. The CU-Boulder Emergency Information Line is 303-492-4636. University Communications will advise appropriate media outlets. 

II. Scenarios

  1. Open for Business

    1. All classes, campus events, facilities and venues are open and on schedule.

    2. Employees are expected to be at work as scheduled.

    3. Employees, students and others should contact their instructor, supervisor, or event venue with specific concerns.

  2. Delayed Start

Communications will contain information if classes and campus are subject to the delayed start.  Employees, students and others should contact their instructor, supervisor, or event venue with specific concerns.

  1. Classes
    1. A decision for a delayed start will normally be made by 5:30 AM of the emergency day.
    2. All campus events, facilities, and venues are open and on schedule after the delay period has ended
    3. All in-person and remote (synchronous) classes with a start time that is during the closure period will be canceled.
    4. All online (asynchronous) classes will be held as normal, and no classes or exams will be delayed or canceled due to a delayed start. 
    5. In the event of a delay during the final examination period, the Provost will provide a directive regarding exams according to the final examination policy.
  2. Personnel
    1. Critical and essential services personnel should report to their duty locations.
    2. All other employees should follow the posted campus start time and see Emergency Leave Guidelines for details on reporting times and leave options.
    3. It is not expected for most faculty and staff to work during the delayed start regardless of work modality.  In the event that multi-campus, virtual meetings not pertaining to the delayed start are scheduled, communication will be sent to impacted employees as early as possible. All other meetings during the delayed start are canceled, regardless of modality.   

 

  1. Early Closure

Communications will contain information if classes and campus are subject to early closure.  Employees, students and others should contact their instructor, supervisor, or event venue with specific concerns.

  1. Classes
  1. All campus events, facilities, and venues are open until the early closure time.
  2. All in-person and remote (synchronous) classes with a start time after the early closure time will be canceled.
  3. All online (asynchronous) classes will be held as normal, and no classes or exams will be delayed or canceled  due to an early closure. 
  4. In the event of an early closure during the final examination period, the Provost will provide a directive regarding exams according to the final examination policy.

 

  1. Personnel
  1. Critical and essential services personnel should remain at their duty locations
  2. All other employees should leave campus and see Emergency Leave Guidelines for details on reporting times and leave options
  3. It is not expected for most faculty and staff to work after the early closure regardless of work modality.  In the event that multi-campus, virtual meetings not pertaining to the early closure are scheduled, , communication will be sent to impacted employees as early as possible. All other meetings during the early closure are cancelled, regardless of modality.   

 

  1. Class Cancellation 

Communications will contain information when classes are canceled.  Class Cancellation may be issued in conjunction with an Administrative Closure. Employees and students should contact their supervisor or instructor if there are specific concerns. 

  1. Classes
  1. A decision for a class cancellation will normally be made by 5:30 AM of the emergency day.
  2. All in-person and remote (synchronous) classes will be canceled.
  3. All online (asynchronous) classes will be held as normal, and no classes or exams for online (asynchronous) classes will be delayed or canceled due to a decision for class cancellation.  
  4. In the event of a closure during the final examination period, the Provost will provide a directive regarding exams according to the final examination policy.

 

  1. Administrative Closure

Communications will contain information on how the campus may be impacted.  Contact your supervisor, or event venue if there are specific concerns.  Campus events, facilities, and venues may be closed or canceled; employees, students and others should contact them directly for questions regarding operating status. 

  1. Personnel
  1. A decision for a class cancellation will normally be made by 5:30 AM of the emergency day.
  2. Critical and essential services personnel should report to their duty locations.
  3. All other employees should remain off campus and see Emergency Leave Guidelines for details on reporting times and leave options.
  4. It is not expected for most faculty and staff to work during the closure regardless of work modality.  In the event that multi-campus, virtual meetings not pertaining to the closure are scheduled, communication will be sent to impacted employees as early as possible.  All other meetings are cancelled, regardless of modality.   

 

  1. Campus Safety Closure

Communications will contain information regarding major safety concerns to the campus.  Critical infrastructure and research will continue to be supported.  All personnel should contact their immediate supervisor for instructions on coming to campus or other work needed.  Examples include large floods, large fires, and large power outages. 

Revised Effective Date

December 17, 2021

Original Effective Date

Thursday, June 25, 2015

Approved By

Philip P. DiStefano, Chancellor

Policy Owner

Associate Vice Chancellor for Public Safety