Severe Weather

Severe Weather and Emergency Procedures

Given the wide range of institutional programs, the number of essential services provided, and the continuing needs of resident and commuting students, Saint Vincent College strives to remain open except for the most severe weather conditions or other serious emergencies on campus. However, all employees and students are urged to use their own discretion in deciding whether they can safely commute to class or to work. If personal health or safety is an issue in that decision, responsible judgment should be used.

Under normal circumstances, in order to give adequate notice for commuting students, the decision to delay or cancel day classes will be made by the President or his representative by 6 a.m. The decision to cancel evening classes will be by 2 p.m. Under special circumstances such as rapid deterioration of weather conditions or other emergencies the President or his representative may delay, cancel classes or close the College with shorter notice.

Students and parents should be assured that, even if classes are canceled due to weather or the campus must be closed, essential employees will provide needed services to the greatest extent possible.

Individual Course Cancellation for Inclement Weather
In order to give adequate notice to commuting students, if a faculty member must cancel a class for any reason during periods of inclement weather when the College is open, notification should be made at least two hours prior to the beginning of a day class (e.g., 6:30 a.m. for an 8:30 a.m. class) and four hours prior to the beginning of an evening class (e.g., 2:30 p.m. for a 6:30 p.m. class).

The faculty member is responsible for notifying his or her students using the method outlined in the course syllabus. In addition, an e-mail should be sent to cancellation@stvincent.edu from the faculty member’s Saint Vincent College e-mail account listing the instructor’s name, meeting time, course number and section number. If no e-mail access is possible, faculty members are asked to call the Saint Vincent Information Booth 724-805-2401. The information booth will send the cancellation e-mail to cancellation@stvincent.edu on the faculty member’s behalf. The Academic Affairs office will also monitor the e-mails sent to cancellation@stvincent.edu so no additional notification is needed.

Reporting Procedure for Employees During Severe Weather
Any employee who is unable to report to work at the appointed time should contact his or her supervisor within the first hour of the workday. Non-essential employees are advised to make their own judgments about their ability to get to work.

Non-essential hourly employees who are unable to report to work may use one of the following options: Accumulated vacation time, personal day(s), take the day (or portion of the day) without pay, or make up time in the same week with the supervisor’s approval.

Essential employees who are required to work during cancellations are expected to report for work. In the event that an employee is unable to report, he or she must immediately notify their supervisor.