Inclement Weather Notification

Weather Notifications

Determination of the operational status of the campus is the responsibility of the President or his/her designee. During inclement or impending poor weather conditions, such determination will be made in consultation with information gathered by Springfield College’s Department of Public Safety, Springfield Police Department, Massachusetts State Police on the condition of roadways along with the National Weather Service on the forecasts for the local weather.

The Office of the President will announce the appropriate operational policy status in accordance with the provisions of this policy. Depending on the severity of prevailing or impending road conditions, the College will observe a state of (1) full operation, (2) minimum staffing, or (3) closed.

Information on Personnel required to come to campus:

• Personnel Type 1 – Anyone who has a direct impact on safety and well-being on the college campus.
• Personnel Type 2 – Anyone who can work remotely or does not have an impact on safety/well-being of the campus.
• (1) Full Operation indicates no change in operational status, viz., business as usual. This designation will not involve a special announcement to the SC community. Personnel Types 1 & 2 will be required to be on campus (Unless previously agreed time for remote work per Supervisor approval).
• (2) Minimum Staffing will denote the maintenance of a “minimum working crew” which would include Personnel Type 1 for the continued operation. Supervisors may release Personnel Type 2 employees as appropriate. Personnel Type 2 that are released should be granted annual and/or personal leave as appropriate.
  The instructional schedule will continue to be observed under “minimum staffing.” Faculty who are unable to meet classes because of prevailing or impending weather conditions should advise the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs prior to the scheduled time of the class(es). In the event commuting students miss class(es) because of prevailing or impending weather conditions, they are not to be penalized pursuant to the SC Attendance Policy.
• (3) Closed. When it is determined that the College is to be closed, personnel should be released in all areas except Personnel Type 1 (Public Safety, Facilities, Residence Life and the Student Union) as necessary. The aforementioned areas will require skeletal crews for the maintenance of vital services. Non-exempt and exempt that are classified as Personnel Type 2 will be given 8 hours of pay to remain remote or have the day off for the closing. All Personnel Type 1 will be given additional time of “Hazard Pay” for hours the college is scheduled closed along with the hours they work.

Requests for leave in the absence of an official announcement of minimum staffing or college closing may be granted at the discretion of supervisors. Such leave should be recorded as follows:

• Non-exempt – vacation time or personal leave;
• Exempt – vacation time or personal leave, as appropriate.

Any leave requests should not be recorded as “Hazard Pay”. Personnel Type 1 who are on previously approved leave or in continuing sick leave status are not eligible for the “Hazard Pay”.

When inclement weather necessitates that the main campus of Springfield College of (1) full operation, (2) minimum staffing, or (3) closed, the College undertakes communication from one, all or selected forms of notifications:

• The Springfield College RAVE Alert notification system (text and email)
• The Springfield College website
• The Springfield College internal website, PrideNET
• Multiple Social Media Platforms

Notifications are also located on Local television: WWLP-NBC TV 22, WGGB-ABC TV 40, WSHM-CBS TV 3, WGGB-FOX TV 6, and WVIT-NBC Connecticut

SC Alert/RAVE Alert Emergency Notification System: Make sure to register for your Springfield College RAVE Alert account.

Athletic Events

The cancellation of athletic events will be determined by the Director of Athletics. The determination is made independently of a decision about classes. The safety of students, staff, and faculty will be factored into all decisions regarding travel.

Facilities Open During Inclement Weather

Activities for Students: If the main campus has a weather-related closing, there will be a full slate of activities for students. These activities will be posted in Cheney Hall, the campus union, and residence halls.  

*Closing hours are subject to change throughout the day based on the severity of the storm. Please check PrideNET during storms for the most up-to-date information. *

Clearing of Parking Lots

Students are notified of snow removal dates and timing via postings in residence halls, Springfield College email, and posted signs at lots on the day of snow removal.  Please remember that it is the responsibility of the individual to find out when the removal will occur.

Personal Safety

When classes are not canceled, it is the personal decision of each of our non-residential students regarding their ability to drive to campus for scheduled classes safely. Students who believe that they should not drive to campus should contact their faculty members prior to class as they would for any other unexpected absence, such as an illness or a transportation issue.