Adverse Weather Operations Policy

The University at Buffalo (UB, university) recognizes that adverse weather conditions, including winter weather, can impact university operations. The safety of students, employees, visitors, and guests is a primary concern in making any weather-related decision about campus operations. While every attempt is made to maintain scheduled operations, it may be necessary to change scheduled operations when adverse weather conditions occur. In such circumstances, the President or designee may make a decision to change scheduled operations resulting in class cancellations, class delays, an early departure*, or a closing*.

* Only the governor can officially declare that the University at Buffalo is closed or direct early departure and only the governor can authorize employees to remain away from work without charge to leave accruals. A declaration of emergency, even by the governor, does not automatically mean the closure of the university.

A recommendation to the President to remain open or to cancel or delay classes and events will be made with sufficient time to notify the campus community as follows:

• Before 5:30 a.m. for daytime classes or events
• Before 3:00 p.m. for classes or events scheduled after 5:00 p.m.

If there is an opportunity to assess the situation and potential impact of adverse weather conditions, advance notice will be issued before any actions resulting from a change in scheduled operations are required. Likewise if conditions change rapidly, a more time sensitive recommendation and decision process will take place.

The decision to cancel or delay classes or events, or issue an early departure is based on numerous factors and input from the Emergency Planning Oversight Committee, including officials from departments responsible for student life and safety, academic scheduling, emergency management, athletics, human resources, facilities operations, and campus infrastructure. The Emergency Planning Oversight Committee monitors and discusses current weather conditions and forecasts throughout the region, road conditions both on and off campus, scheduled academic and extracurricular activities, and circumstances which may affect a particular region or campus (North, South, or Downtown).

During the decision making process, the Emergency Planning Oversight Committee considers information issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) Buffalo Office (including announcements of a weather advisory, watch, or warning), current and expected campus conditions, and all scheduled classes, events, and activities.

Based on information considered during the decision making process, including conditions that may affect a particular region or campus, the Emergency Planning Oversight Committee will recommend activation of one or more of the following change in scheduled operations options:

Services related to the health and safety of students, faculty, staff, and guests, and the security and maintenance of facilities are essential and must continue in spite of adverse conditions. Departments should conduct a detailed analysis of their services and determine which services must continue during adverse weather conditions. The determination of essential services and personnel may vary depending on the adverse weather conditions and its impact on communities in western New York.     

Departments may also determine, based on the impact of the weather conditions, which employees are essential. Departments may approve an alternate work arrangement (e.g., telecommuting) to support university activity and meet the business needs of a department during adverse weather.

In accordance with New York State policy, employee absences resulting from any change in scheduled operations including class cancellations, early departures, and closings must be charged to appropriate leave accruals. An employee who does not have sufficient leave accruals may borrow from future accruals. Only the governor can officially declare that the University at Buffalo is closed or  direct an early departure and only the governor can authorize employees to remain away from work without charge to leave accruals. Any person who reports to work will not be deprived of the opportunity to work. During adverse weather and where applicable, a provision must be made for alternate campus work locations and alternate work for those who do get to the campus but who cannot go to their regular work places or cannot perform their regular work assignments.

 A change in scheduled operations including class cancellations, early departure, and closing announcements will be made through one or more of the following communication methods:

• UB Alert – UB Emergency Alert System
• All campus email (faculty, staff, students), as appropriate
• www.buffalo.edu  – UB homepage
• www.emergency.buffalo.edu – UB emergency page
• www.buffalo.edu/aboutmyub  -  MyUB, web-based personal portal
• www.buffalo.edu/now - UB faculty-staff newspaper
• Local broadcast media (radio and TV)
• 1620 AM – campus traffic radio broadcast
• 716-645-2345 – University Police campus condition phone line
• 716-645-NEWS (716-645-6397) – UB information phone line
• Official UB social media accounts

The possibility of snow, ice, or other adverse weather may affect classes, events, and work schedules. Whenever possible, the university will continue scheduled operations, including classes and events, during adverse weather to the extent that students, faculty, and staff can travel safely to and from campus given local conditions.

This policy applies to all members of the campus community, including students, employees, visitors, and guests.

Essential Employee

An employee who has been deemed necessary by their supervisor and is expected to report to or remain at work during a change in scheduled operations. Employees who are deemed necessary may vary depending on the conditions.  

National Weather Service (NWS)

The official government agency tasked with warning the public of pending hazards associated with weather. The NWS issues the following alerts during periods of severe winter weather:

• Advisory - Conditions are expected to cause significant inconveniences that may be hazardous. If caution is used, these situations should not be life-threatening.
• Watch - Severe conditions such as snow and/or ice may affect one or more campuses and surrounding communities, but the location and timing are still uncertain. A watch is issued 12 to 36 hours in advance of potential severe weather.
• Warning - A winter storm warning is issued when four or more inches of snow are expected over the next twelve hours, or six or more inches in 24 hours, or ¼ inch or more of ice accumulation is expected. A warning may also be issued if the storm is expected to hit during high-traffic driving times like rush hour.    

University Closing

Only the governor can officially declare that the University at Buffalo is closed or direct early departure and only the governor can authorize employees to remain away from work without charge to leave accruals. A declaration of emergency, even by the governor, does not automatically mean the closure of the university.

• Issue a timely decision to change scheduled operations based on a recommendation from the Vice President for Finance and Administration (VPFA).

• Communicate the recommendation to change scheduled operations based on adverse weather conditions to the Office of the President for decision.

• Coordinate consensus recommendations based on conditions and input from operational departments.

• Continuously monitor campus conditions.
• Provide input about risk to public safety based on conditions.

• Monitor campus conditions.
• Work to clear snow and ice from roadways, parking lots, and walkways.
• Provide input regarding accessibility to the campus based on conditions.

• Recommend and advise specific protective actions based on adverse weather conditions.

• Participate in the recommendation process.
• Disseminate pertinent and timely information to the campus community.

• Use caution and personal judgment when traveling to and from campus.
• Dress appropriately for protection against cold temperatures and wind chills.