I. Introduction

The university will close because of severe weather when normal operation would pose a significant danger to faculty, staff, and students while on the Waterloo or Brantford campus or would prevent many from safely coming to the campuses or returning to their residences in Kitchener, Waterloo, Brantford and surrounding areas.

II. Closing the University

The university will close its Waterloo campus automatically if the Waterloo County Board of Education closes all of its schools for the day. The Brantford campus will close automatically if the Grand Erie District School Board closes all of its schools for the day. When the university is thus closed, the closing is for both the day and night and the university will reopen at 7 a.m. the next day.

The office of the principal/vice-president: Brantford campus will notify the president’s office whenever the Brantford campus closes.

The Department of Public Affairs will communicate the university’s decision based on established protocol. Radio stations that can be expected to carry announcements include 570 AM News Talk, CHYM, (96.7FM), KOOL-FM (105.3 FM), OLDIES 1090 and CKCO and CKPC in Brantford.

A campus closing notice will be posted on the university’s homepage and there will be an automated message on the university’s main telephone numbers by 7 a.m..

Closing the university means that:

1. All classes are cancelled.
2. Meetings and other scheduled events are not held.
3. Staff, other than those needed for essential services, are not expected to be at work.
4. Examinations are cancelled. Any centrally scheduled examinations that have been cancelled will be rescheduled by the Office of the Registrar.
5. Deadlines for assignments and other submissions are postponed until the same hour on the next weekday that the university is open.

III. Essential Services

Even when the university is "closed," some services must be maintained for the care and for the protection of life and property of those who live on campus.

The following units provide essential services which are to continue in operation when the university is closed:

1. Security Services
2. Food Services (as required under these circumstances)
3. Physical Resources
4. Animal Care

Other essential services may be designated by the president or delegate.

The managers responsible for these services will designate staff to provide essential services and will ensure that staff are available to provide essential services.

IV. Morning Closing on Other Days

If either of the school boards are not open due to the time of the year, the decision to close the Waterloo campus will be made by the president or designate, and the decision to close the Brantford campus will be made by the principal/vice-president or designate. If the university is to be closed, the notification procedure will be as specified in section II. The decision to close will be made by 7 a.m..

V. Daytime Closing

The university will close after classes and business hours have commenced only in extreme circumstances. The decision to close the Waterloo campus will be made by the president or designate, and the decision to close the Brantford campus will be made by the principal/vice-president or designate. A decision to close during the day will specify if the closing is immediate or at a stated hour. The closing will normally continue from that hour until 7 a.m. the next day. When such a decision is made it will be communicated via electronic media as soon as possible. In addition, local radio stations will be contacted.

VI. Closing Outside Normal Business Hours

Any closing that involves the cancellation of evening classes will be determined during the working day in accordance with the procedure described above.

VII. Remuneration on Severe Weather Days

If the university closes, employees scheduled to work during periods affected by closure shall be paid for those days or partial days that the university is closed. A staff member who is on vacation, sick leave or unpaid leave, or who is not scheduled to work on a day when the university is closed, is not entitled to equivalent time off later.