Inclement Weather Policy

Purpose: 

As both a residential campus in Salem and primarily commuter campus in Portland, Willamette University is open for business every day of the academic year, except for recognized holidays and other periods of official closure. However, if weather conditions become sufficiently hazardous such that operating the university would jeopardize the safety of our students, faculty, and staff, alterations to regular business operations will be implemented. 

Policy: 

1. When inclement weather occurs, the university will respond in one of the following ways:
   1. Open late or close early, based on weather conditions;
   2. Close for in-person classes and services, but provide remote instruction and services (e.g., snow day). Hourly employees required to come to campus, typically Campus Safety and certain Facilities employees, will receive time and half for all hours worked on campus. All other employees will be required to work remotely. Supervisors are encouraged to provide remote work for employees. Employees who are unable to perform remote work because of the nature of their duties will be paid for hours they were scheduled to work during the closure. Employees who are unable to work for reasons other than those specified above will need to use accrued vacation or personal preference time. Those employees without accrued time will be unpaid. 
   3. Close completely, canceling all classes, postponing events, and providing only essential services (e.g., system outage). Decisions to alter operations will be made by 6 a.m. for morning classes and by 2 p.m. for evening classes. Employees who are scheduled to work during the hours of the closure will be paid as if they worked scheduled hours. 
2. Alterations to University operations will be communicated in the following ways:
   1. The University switchboard will have a recorded message at 503-370-6300. (Please do not call Campus Safety for this information).
   2. Area TV news stations will display a "crawl" message on the bottom of the screen.
   3. Willamette University web pages will display operational delays on a banner on the top of the University's homepages www.willamette.edu and pnca.willamette.edu.
   4. An all campus email will be sent.
   5. An emergency alert text and phone message will be sent. 
3. Faculty should notify their students with information regarding remote instruction or make-up classes.
4. Students and employees should use their personal judgment for their travel safety regarding coming to work or attending classes in inclement weather. If employees are unable to report to work, they should contact their supervisor. Students who are unable to attend classes that are being offered remotely or in-person should contact their faculty members.

Effective Date: January 12, 2026
Responsible Person/Primary Contact: Executive Director of Campus Safety & Emergency Mgmt.
Responsible University Office: Campus Safety