SUBJECT: Inclement weather closure determination information

Dear Colleagues, 

As the winter season is upon us, it is time to revisit the campus’s inclement weather procedures for reducing campus operations or closing the campus and outline the means of communicating such instances to the campus community.

When overnight or early morning weather suggests the possibility of reducing in-person operations, the provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs, in consultation with the vice chancellors for business affairs and external relations, will make the decision to pivot to online classes and remote operations. 

Winter storms are hard to predict. Every effort will be made to decide about reducing on-campus operations by 11 p.m. the night before classes. If a decision cannot be made by this time, the decision to close the university will be made by 6 a.m. on the day of the weather event.  

The university will NOT communicate when the campus will be open. 

Some additional considerations:

• When the decision is made to reduce on-campus operations, public safety will activate the emergency notification system (ENS). Information will also be posted to the university website and social media channels. Faculty should communicate with their students regarding how teaching will be conducted. Supervisors should reach out to their staff regarding remote working expectations. 

• When a daytime reduction in operations is deemed necessary, information will be shared with deans, directors and department chairs/heads, who will then notify their faculty, staff and students regarding the closure. A ENS will then be sent to the entire campus. 

• When a decision is made to reduce on-campus operations on a Saturday or Sunday, the directors (or their designees) of the Mardigian Library, Information Technology Services, Renick University Center and the Fieldhouse will be notified. The director or designee will notify their staff regarding the closure. 

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

A thorough review process is followed to determine if a reduction in operations 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 reduce campus operations.

Wishing you a safe winter season. 

Gabriella Scarlatta
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

Bryan Dadey
Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs

Ken Kettenbeil 
Vice Chancellor for External Relations