A few weeks ago, Friday, Jan. 25, 2013, marked the first time since January 2003 that UT closed because of weather concerns.
After several notifications of delayed openings, the university closed after assessing that accumulating ice on roads and sidewalks made campus unsafe for students.
Lisa Swearingen, junior in nutrition, said she liked not having to attend classes for a day, but she also commented that school closings due to snow is a rare thing in Tennessee.
“Like any student, I was very happy to get out of my Friday class,” Swearingen said. “Living in Tennessee you don’t see much snow. The only other time I remember a big snow was my senior year of high school and we got out for like a whole week.”
The degree of inclement weather certainly was a shock to many East Tennesseans. WBIR Channel 10 even stopped by campus to speak to some students about the university closing.
But what procedures must university administrators go through to decide conclusively to close campus to students and faculty?
Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Chris Cimino, who sends out the UT Alert emails that inform faculty and staff of campus delays and closings, said that UT administrators are very involved in monitoring potentially unsafe weather situations.
“The University’s Emergency Management Office carefully monitors weather events beginning with the earliest predictions,” Cimino said. “We take part in National Weather Service webinars and phone calls, and listen to local and regional forecasts in order to be prepared. UT Police and Facilities Services are on alert and begin any necessary preparations. Depending on the type of event, we may stand up our Emergency Operations Center and staff with representatives from key departments. Information from these representatives helps form a recommendation to the Chancellor.”
Cimino added that the university tries to communicate campus delays or closings to faculty and staff as early as possible so that everyone can make plans accordingly and will only close in the “most severe weather conditions.”
After a decision is made to delay or open, UT notifies local media and posts updates online at www.utk.edu, Facebook and Twitter. They also send out text message and email alerts.
If campus does close for an entire day, all campus buildings are locked and secured for the rest of the day, with the exception of the library, UC, Dining Services, police and steam plant.
“The University Center, library and TRECs also try to maintain normal hours of operation but may run on an abbreviated schedule,” Cimino said. “Volunteer Dining will typically operate locations closest to the residence halls, and they work closely with the administration on these decisions.”
Campus closings and delays will occur if the university administration determines the area is unsafe for students, faculty, staff or other member of the university. But Cimino assures that all decisions are carefully communicated among the administrative offices.
“Delays and closings are always posted online,” Cimino said. “We encourage students, faculty and staff to watch or listen to local news for information and make a decision based on their own circumstances and safety.”
For more information on the university’s safety and inclement weather policies, visit safety.utk.edu.
