Campus Emergency Closing Policy

When overnight and early morning weather suggest the possibility of a campus closure, the decision to close campus is made by the provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs in consultation with the vice chancellor for business affairs. A decision to close the university will be made by 5:30 a.m.

A thorough review process is followed to determine if a closure is necessary. Although every effort is made to keep the university fully operational during regular instructional hours, ultimately the safety and wellbeing of students, faculty, and staff is at the center of the decision to close the campus.

When the decision is made to close campus, the Office of External Relations will activate the Blackboard Emergency Notification System. We encourage you to register to receive these notifications in the Employee Self-Service section in Wolverine Access. Simply click on “UM Emergency Alerts” under Campus Personal Information. Faculty and staff will no longer receive a separate email.

Local media outlets will be notified and closure information will be posted to UM-Dearborn’s website and social media channels.

When a daytime closing is deemed necessary, the notification channels listed above will be activated and information will be shared with deans, directors, and department chairs/heads, who will then notify their faculty, staff, and students.

When a decision is made to close the campus on a Saturday or Sunday, the directors (or their designees) of the Mardigian Library, Information Technology Services, University Center, Fairlane Center, and the Fieldhouse will be notified.

Those UM-Dearborn essential staff typically required to work during a campus closure will be notified by their supervisors. With regard to a reduction in operations unrelated to weather—such as flooding or a power outage—essential staff typically required to work will be notified by their supervisors.

Compensation will be provided for all regular University employees who do not report to work either because (1) emergency conditions resulted in suspension of operations, or (2) such emergency conditions make it impossible to get to work to provide essential services.

Compensation will be provided for all regular University employees who are unable to complete their regular assignment because emergency conditions resulted in suspension of operations.

Wishing you a safe winter season.

Policy owned by: Business Affairs

Last review: 11/2019

Next review: 4/2021