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Minnesota State College Southeast
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708 – Weather/Emergency Conditions  

Responsible Office:  Finance and Administration
Responsible Officer:  Vice President of Finance and Administration

PART 1. POLICY

The college, due to inclement weather or other emergency conditions, may close or delay the opening of one or both of its campuses, or it may cancel classes and other activities. The President or their designee is responsible for this decision.

Definitions

College Closure

Cease all college operations except for those deemed weather essential. This results in the cancellation of classes, student and staff activities and meetings, and the closure of all general offices. This policy includes the cancellation of classes/activities offered by other entities using college facilities, such as the CareerForce center. Only essential employees must report to work.

Delayed Opening

All operations are kept closed for a designated period of time except those deemed essential. During the designated time period, only essential employees must report to work.

Cancellation of On-campus Classes and/or Activities

Specific on-campus classes and/or activities are cancelled in lieu of closing the entire college. All college faculty and staff must still report to the college for their regularly scheduled shifts.

Essential Employees

Essential employees are those in positions necessary for safe operations and services during a closure or delayed opening. The essential designation is assigned to positions, not specific employees.

The following positions are designated as essential during weather or emergency conditions:

  • Director of Facilities
  • General Repair Worker
  • General Maintenance Worker

PART 2. PROCEDURE

Closing, Delayed Opening, and Cancellation of Classes/Activities

The decision to close, delay opening, or cancel classes/activities of the college due to weather or other emergency is made by the President or their designee(s). (See decision process on intranet.) In times of inclement weather or other emergency conditions, assessment of conditions shall also be the responsibility of the President or their designee(s). The assessment will be based on local and regional conditions, weather reports, and contacts with other relevant agencies as appropriate.

Determination of closing, delayed opening, or cancellation of classes/activities shall be made by 6:00 AM when possible. Decisions to close early or cancel afternoon and/or evening classes/activities will be made as soon as possible based on the emergency conditions taking into account the time necessary to safely shut down operations and dismiss students. The decision to close, delay opening or cancel classes/activities may be specific to just the Red Wing or Winona campus based on the weather/emergency conditions in each location.

When a decision is made to close, delay opening, and/or cancel classes/activities during normal working hours, the President or their designee(s) shall inform all employees and students via Star Alert, college website, local media outlets, college email, and social media.

The President or their designee will notify the chancellor or designee after the decision is made to close the college due to weather or other emergency conditions.

Southeast Faculty and Staff Work Responsibilities

  • When the college is closed or delayed due to a weather/emergency:
    • Essential employees must report to their normal work location.
    • All non-essential faculty and staff will be excused from work with pay for the duration of the closure or delay; however, may choose to telework if they have the means and are approved to work from home or an alternative site. Those choosing to telework must communicate this with their supervisor and HR for proper reporting of work location.
    • The President or their designee reserves the right to require telework for non-essential faculty and staff during a college closure/delay when it is in the best interest of the students and the college.
    • Essential employees and non-essential faculty or staff on approved sick, vacation, or other paid leave will not have this leave restored to their accrual balance as a result of a college closure/delay.
    • Essential employees and non-essential faculty or staff on unpaid leave will not receive paid time as a result of a college closure/delay.
  • When on-campus classes/activities are cancelled:
    • Essential employees must report to their normal work location.
    • Faculty with on-campus classes/activities may pivot to online instruction, as feasible; however, this does not excuse any faculty from work. In the event online instruction is not practical, faculty must still be present for any normally scheduled on-campus hours and will engage in other professional responsibilities on-campus in lieu of instruction.
    • Faculty with off-campus/online instructional assignments will conduct work as usual.
    • Staff deemed non-essential must report to their normal work location.
    • Faculty or staff, with supervisor approval, may take personal leave, vacation leave, or use earned comp time if they choose to be absent from work.
    • With supervisor approval and where feasible, faculty or staff may be authorized to telework to minimize travel during inclement weather.
  • In consultation with their dean, faculty may make an independent decision to cancel their classes/activities due to weather or other exigencies. In these cases, the faculty must notify the front desk with the class/activity information and notify their students via e-mail or through the D2L course(s). The front desk and/or dean will place temporary signage on the classroom door and arrange for a message to be posted on the college website. In such situations, faculty are also required to complete and submit documentation for personal leave through the normal process. 

 

Date of Implementation: October 23, 2013
Date of Last Review:  January 2024
Date of Revision(s):  June 10, 2020; March 27, 2024