Inclement Weather Policy

Main UVa-Wise Campus

1. Winter weather in the mountains can often necessitate schedule changes. When severe conditions exist, the decision to alter the class schedule will be made by appropriate administrative offices. An announcement will be made on the College's telephone snow hot line 376-4SNO and www.uvawise.edu, as well as area radio and television stations at the earliest possible time.

2. Given the variability of the weather in the Southwest Virginia mountains, there will be occasions when classes will not be canceled even though conditions on some surrounding areas may make travel hazardous. When weather conditions in the immediate area permit classes to be held, the College will be open on a snow schedule. This decision will be made at the earliest possible time and will be announced on the telephone hot line 376-4SNO and regional television and radio stations. The approved snow schedule for classes is as follows:

Please note that if classes are on a snow schedule on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday, then the Convocation period is canceled.

Please note that Tuesday and Thursday classes on a snow schedule are only 60 minutes in length.

Student safety is of the utmost importance. When the college is operating on a delayed schedule or during any other severe weather conditions such as flooding, commuter students should use their best judgment about whether it is safe to drive from their homes. Commuter students also should use their best judgment on whether to leave the College early on days when snow begins to fall during the school day.

Commuter students who live outside the Town of Wise corporation limits who are unable to attend class because of inclement weather are allowed to make up any academic work missed in consultation with the appropriate professor. Contact with the professor should occur immediately upon return to class. Residence Hall students, including those living in the Townhouse Apartments and students living within the Town of Wise corporation limits are expected to attend classes when the College is operating on a snow schedule and will not be granted excused absences.

Issued by the Provost's Office, November 7, 2000

Addendum to Inclement Weather Policy -- Transportation Difficulties for UVa-Wise Staff Members (Non-essential)

When weather conditions create transportation difficulties that result in late arrival of an employee to work, lost time need not be applied to leave balances nor should the employee otherwise experience loss of pay provided the arrival is within a one-hour grace period beginning at the scheduled time to report. In the case of extreme inclement weather later arrivals will not be charged against leave balances if, in the judgment of the departmental head or designee, such lost time was justifiable in consideration of weather conditions, place of residence, or other pertinent factors. Compensatory leave will not be credited to employees who report at their normal time under these conditions.

Approved by Cabinet, February 5, 2003

Higher Education Center at Abingdon

Classes held in public schools will not be held if the public school system is closed. Except in the case of extreme weather conditions, classes at the Higher Education Center in Abingdon will be cancelled only by the individual instructors. Closing of the Wise campus does not automatically result in cancellation of Abingdon classes, but does cancel those originating from the Wise campus on interactive television. Notices about Abingdon classes are available on the Higher Education Center's Information Line (276) 619-4308 and from the HEC website at www.swcenter.edu.