Keeping our community safe during severe weather
At Wichita State University, the safety and well-being of our students, faculty and staff is our top priority. During periods of inclement weather or extreme cold, we closely monitor weather conditions and make informed decisions about campus operations.
Each weather event is different, and decisions require input from many parts of the university. The university is not a single-function organization – it is a residential community, a center for research, a workplace and an academic institution all at once. Facilities staff assess whether sidewalks, parking lots and campus roadways can be cleared and maintained. Dining and housing staff evaluate whether they can continue supporting thousands of students who live on campus and rely on university services regardless of closures. Academic leaders consider the implications for classes, labs and clinical rotations, while Human Resources evaluates employee obligations and safety.
The university’s inclement weather policy may be accessed here: WSU Policy 5.17 / Inclement Weather And Emergency Event. In an effort to address frequently asked questions, here’s what you need to know:
How do we decide when adjustments to university operations are necessary?
University leadership reviews local weather, evaluates transportation conditions, and assesses campus facilities and operations in relation to:
- Weather forecasts and environmental conditions
- Road and campus safety
- Availability of essential services on campus
- Impact on campus education and research activity, residential students, clinical and field education experience, and paid applied learning
When do we adjust university operations (including moving to remote operations)?
In the event of severe weather, the university may determine that it is necessary to adjust the university’s normal operations. We consider such adjustments when:
- Projected excessive wind chills, especially when combined with snow, ice or hazardous travel conditions.
- Road conditions are deemed unsafe for commuting.
- Campus infrastructure is significantly compromised by the weather (e.g., heating systems, pathways, parking lots).
- High risk of property damaging storms
What happens if we go remote?
- Most classes will be held online. Your instructor will notify you as to how or whether your class will be held. At certain times, staff may be called to campus in support of operations.
- Faculty and staff will work remotely unless they hold a position that supports critical campus operations, as defined in WSU Policy 5.17 / Inclement Weather And Emergency Event.
- Campus services such as dining, housing and childcare will remain operational. Student health will be delivered using telehealth. Hours for campus services may be adjusted. For any questions, contact information for campus services is provided below.
- University notifications will be sent via email, text alerts and posted on the university website and social media. Individual class information will be sent out through Blackboard and/or may be included in course syllabus.
Contact information for campus services:
Shared and personal responsibility
No decision can perfectly fit the circumstances of every member of our community. That is why we emphasize shared and personal responsibility. Weather conditions can vary widely depending on where you live or the time of day you travel. Each individual must evaluate their own situation, prioritize personal safety and make responsible choices about whether it is safe to come to campus.
Freezing temperatures, in the absence of precipitation, will not likely result in the closure of campus or remote operations. Therefore, it is important to be, and stay prepared for, inclement weather. Examples of things that you should be doing:
In Kansas, thunderstorms are common in the spring and fall months, while at the same time the actual severity of storm events, and their location, are difficult to predict by even the best meteorologist. Storms can occur within very short notice and often last for a short duration of time. During these events it is important to stay up-to-date with weather notifications, and if outside you may need to seek shelter quickly.
Thank you for trusting our process
We understand that weather-related decisions can impact individuals in different ways. Please know that our closure and delay decisions are made with the best intentions by university leaders who are working diligently to balance the safety of our community with the need to maintain operations. These decisions are based on the best information available to us at the time, including weather forecasts, road conditions and guidance from local authorities. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility.
