Inclement Weather and Emergencies
The University is committed to a year-round operating schedule in pursuit of its mission as a residential institution of higher education. It is the intent of the University to remain open and adhere to full operations, including normal class schedules, insofar as it is possible.
However, the University does not advise employees to take unwarranted risks when traveling to work in the event of inclement weather or other emergencies. Each person should exercise his or her best judgment with regards to road conditions and other safety concerns. Road conditions in areas away from the University campus may be worse than around the campus area. Therefore, no employee should come to work if the conditions he or she is facing are felt to be unsafe. If the University is open and an employee determines that it is unsafe to proceed to work, then the employee must notify his or her supervisor immediately.
It is anticipated that the need to excuse any employee from work will be rare and that snowfall, other inclement weather, or emergencies will not be cause for an employee's absence. If the supervisor does excuse an employee, then pay for the time taken will come from the employee's accrued vacation leave, bonus vacation (subject to approval by Human Resource Services), or taken as leave without pay. An employee may not use sick leave pay in substitution for time missed due to snow or other inclement weather.
Factors influencing a supervisor's decision regarding both the requested time off and method of payment for this time include, but are not limited to: the seriousness of the employee's need to be excused, travel distance to and from work, availability of mass transit, departmental work priorities, and whether or not the employee provides service for that department that is essential for the operation of the University and/or for the well-being of the student population.
In addition, only under exceptional circumstances when the University officially closes will the University declare that employees are excused from work for all or a portion of the day with pay. The most reliable and extensive source regarding official closings and class schedules during inclement weather situations will be available on the University's hotline at (804) 289-8760.
Local television and radio stations will provide brief messages regarding which areas of the University may be opened or closed.
The University will contact the following stations:
TV Stations
- WCVE/WCVW - (PBS)
- WRIC - (ABC)
- WTVR - (CBS)
- WWBT - (NBC)
Radio Stations
- WCVE - FM 88.9
- WRVA - AM 1140
- WRVQ - FM 94.5
Should the weather become too severe for the University to remain open or if the University feels that road conditions are too hazardous for travel, a closing announcement will be made on these stations.
If the University is officially closed, or has a delayed opening or early closing, those staff members who have scheduled and have supervisory approval for vacation, holiday, or sick time for the inclement weather event will be allowed to change their supervisory approved vacation, holiday, or sick time to coincide with the rest of the campus for inclement weather time.
This policy applies only to staff members who are scheduled to work during the inclement weather event. Non-scheduled staff members are not entitled to inclement weather pay.
If you work in an area where you are designated essential personnel, then you will be expected to be at work during times of inclement weather. Please speak with your supervisor so that you understand departmental expectations. Designated essential personnel are generally defined as those employed in the areas of food services, student health services, University facilities, and University Police. Information services and telecommunications are on-call essential personnel based on the specifics of the situation.
While the University is officially closed, essential personnel who work four hours or more will receive additional pay equivalent to their normal shift hours or to hours actually worked, whichever is greater. Essential personnel who work less than four hours will receive additional pay equivalent to the number of hours actually worked.
If you are expected to be at work during inclement weather situations, then you must have a plan as to how you will be able to get to work under adverse conditions.