Missouri State University

School Cancellation Policies & Procedures

Op3.29 School Cancellation Policies and Procedures

School Cancellation/Closure Procedures For Emergencies and/or Inclement Weather

When the University is closed or classes are canceled due to emergency or inclement weather situations, an official announcement will be issued through the news media (television and radio). Unless and until an official closing announcement is issued, faculty members are expected to hold classes as usual, and employees should assume that activities will continue as normal.

When the University is closed or classes are canceled due to such situations, campus offices will also be closed. The day will be considered a University extra paid holiday (a given day off beyond the seven recognized holidays). Staff employees engaged in continuous operation, non-routine functions, or special activities may be required to work.

The decision to close the University or to cancel day classes will be made by 5:30 a.m. and announced to the news media prior to 6:00 a.m. Listed below is the sequence of events that should be followed:

  1. Should conditions appear to warrant possible cancellation/closure, the public safety officer on duty will contact the Director of Safety & Transportation by 3:00 a.m. The Director of Safety & Transportation will contact the Vice President for Administrative & Information Services and the Director of Facilities Management by 4:30 a.m. After consultation with the Provost and the Vice President for Student Affairs, the Vice President for Administrative & Information Services will decide whether or not to close the University or to cancel day classes. The President will be informed.
  2. If day classes are canceled, the Director of Safety & Transportation will notify the news media of the school cancellation/closing (using the appropriate code), specifically denoting "Day Classes Only".
  3. If day classes are canceled, the Safety & Transportation Office will also contact the following:
    1. Vice President for University Advancement
    2. Chief of Staff/Assistant to the President for University Relations
    3. Director of Bookstore
    4. Director of Greenwood Laboratory School
    5. Director of Food Service
    6. Director of Residence Life and Services
    7. Assistant Dean of Student Life and Development/Director of Plaster Student Union
    8. Executive Director of Juanita K. Hammons Hall/Hammons Student Center/Plaster Sports Complex
    9. Director of Taylor Health & Wellness Center

If classes are officially canceled because of weather, all efforts will be made to maintain services in the following operations:

  • Selected units within the Division of Student Affairs (Residence Life and Services, Taylor Health & Wellness Center, Student Union, and Food Services)
  • Meyer Library
  • Plaster Sports Complex, if events scheduled
  • Hammons Student Center, if events scheduled
Inclement Weather Procedures for Evening Classes

Since the decision to cancel day classes due to inclement weather does not pertain to evening classes (classes beginning at 4:00 p.m. and after) or to second or third shift operations, a separate decision will be made later in the day.

The following procedures will be followed:

  1. Between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., the Associate Provost for Public Affairs & the Extended Campus will consult with the Vice President for Administrative & Information Services concerning the condition of the parking lots and their possible availability during the late afternoon and evening hours and will review information from the Safety & Transportation Office, the National Weather Bureau, the Missouri State Highway Patrol District Office, and area public school offices concerning road conditions and impending weather changes.
  2. At 11:30 a.m., the Associate Provost will consult with the Provost, the Vice President for Administrative & Information Services, and the Vice President for Student Affairs; a decision will be made. The President will be informed.
  3. The decision to hold or to cancel evening classes and second and third shift operations will be given to the Director of Safety & Transportation, and he will release this information to the public media in time for the 12:00 noon news.
  4. The University reserves the right to alter its decision if weather conditions change during the afternoon.
  5. The Director of Safety & Transportation will be responsible for informing the following people and/or offices of that decision:
    1. College Deans (who in turn will contact their department heads)
    2. University telephone operators
    3. Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Services
    4. Chief of Staff/Assistant to the President for University Relations
    5. Meyer Library offices
"Emergency Operations Personnel" List

The following University personnel are required to attend work when the University is closed during a time when it would otherwise be open:

Administrative & Information Services

Associate Vice President for Administrative Services
Director of Facilities Management
Director of Safety & Transportation
Public Safety Supervisors (all shifts)
Public Safety Officers (all shifts)
Public Safety Communication Personnel (all shifts)
Maintenance Mechanics (Superintendent to make the call)
          Residence Life (6 Mechanics Minimum)
          Academics (TBD depending upon the event)
All Grounds Personnel
Boiler Firemen (expected to report for normal shift)
All Custodial Personnel (expected to report for normal shift)

Student Affairs

Vice President for Student Affairs
Taylor Health & Wellness Center
      Director
      Doctor (1)
      Nurses (2)
      Pharmacist
      Pharmacy Technician
      Lab/X-Ray Technician
      Administrative Clerk (2)
Residence Life
       Director
       Hall Director/Assistant Directors (all)
       Residence Associates (RAs)
       Receptionists (all)
       Custodians (all)     
Food Service
       Dining Center Manager
       Cook(s)
       Food Preparation Staff
       Line Servers
       Custodians
Plaster Student Union
        Vendors
        Custodians (2)
        Maintenance & Repair Assistant
Counseling Center
        On Call Counselor

Note:  The attendance of other employees will be required based on exceptional, emergency situations (e.g., natural disasters, cyber-terrorism attacks, etc.) These staff will be notified by their supervisor if/when their attendance is required during a time when the University is otherwise closed.