Whenever possible, Missouri S&T will stay open for business during winter weather. Under severe weather conditions, university officials may open campus late, close campus early, or close campus for an entire day. Even if campus is not open, classes and work will continue, ensuring that students can make academic progress during the academic year. Dr. Colin Potts, provost, and Alysha O’Neil, vice chancellor for finance and operations, sent the following message to employees on Nov. 17:

Dear Missouri S&T Community,

As fall is ending, it’s time to prepare for expected winter weather that we usually experience in mid-Missouri. As we did last year, the university will shift to remote working and learning during inclement weather events to reduce interruptions.

This means faculty who have scheduled classes on days when campus is physically closed or with limited in-person operations will be expected to engage their classes in remote learning. The format of this learning is up to the discretion of the faculty member (e.g., holding a synchronous Zoom class meeting; assigning readings or other assignments to be completed asynchronously). Instructors should communicate expectations with their students. Staff who aren’t required to work on campus during a weather event will be expected to telework from home or another location, if possible. Supervisors are responsible for coordinating alternative work plans with their employees.

Missouri S&T will stay open whenever possible for business and on-campus instructional activities during winter weather. On those days, employees and students are expected to exercise judgment when deciding if they can travel safely to campus. Each individual’s circumstance will be different; therefore, it’s important that supervisors and instructors facilitate conversations to determine what options exist for their teams or classes in the event they cannot make it to campus.

Under severe weather conditions, university officials may open campus late, close campus early, or close campus and office buildings for an entire day. Even if campus is not open, classes and work will continue to ensure that students can make academic progress and productivity is maintained.

Employees will fall into four categories during an inclement weather event:

• Those who aren’t required to work on-site and will telework from home or another location.
• Those who cannot carry out their duties through telework and who are instructed that they are not required on-site to work will be compensated.
• Those who are required to telework and choose not to must take paid time off — either personal or vacation days.
• Those who are non-exempt (hourly) and are required to work on-site may be eligible to receive premium pay; those who are required to work on-site and choose not to will need to take paid time off — either personal or vacation days.

If there is a change in campus status due to severe weather, the university will:

• Issue a text message to all registered cellphone numbers and an email to the campus community.
• Post information to the S&T Alert webpage.
• Post information to S&T’s social media channels.
• Inform local media outlets.
• Strive to provide campus status by 6 a.m. on weather-affected weekdays.

Visit S&T Alert to learn more about preparing for inclement weather and to sign up for S&T text and phone alerts. A text message is the fastest way to receive alerts about emergencies and campus closings.

NOTE: Faculty and staff should reach out to their HR professional if they have questions about these changes. Employees should check with their supervisors who will identify those needed to fulfill duties on campus during a weather event. More information on S&T’s campus closure policies can be found at http://www.umsystem.edu/ums/rules/hrm/hr200/hr217.

Warm regards and best wishes for a safe and productive rest of the semester.

Alysha O’Neil, Vice Chancellor
Finance and Operations

Colin Potts, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor
Academic Affairs