Weather Emergency Policy and Procedures 2008-2009

Date: November 03, 2008
To: The Campus Community
From: S. Catherine Longley, Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration & Treasurer

As we prepare for the Maine winter, the following outlines the College's policy and procedures for weather-related emergencies:

The College rarely closes. We are a residential college, and employees and students should generally presume that classes will meet and that all essential services (dining, facilities, security, etc.) will remain in operation.

In extreme weather conditions, it may be necessary to declare a weather emergency requiring only “essential” employees to report to work. All managers and supervisors will review their staff lists in order to identify the essential employees in their departments and inform them of specific department expectations. Faculty members should attempt to notify students through their departments and class email lists if a class is canceled and schedule a make-up class when possible. Since weather conditions can change rapidly, a declared weather emergency over night or in the morning may not affect campus events later in the day or evening. See information below about event cancellation notifications.

Announcements
Announcements that Bowdoin College has declared a weather emergency will be broadcast over radio stations WGAN (AM 560), WMGX (FM 93.1), WYNZ (FM 100.9) and WPOR (FM 101.9) as well as television stations WCSH-TV (channel 6), WMTW (channel 8), and WGME-TV (channel 13). Please note that the announcements will now direct employees to call the Weather Alerts Line for specific information about delays or closures. Employees should call 207-725-3000, then select option 3.

In addition, campus-wide e-mail will provide emergency weather-related closing information, and we will make every effort to update our Web site, www.bowdoin.edu. If additional work shifts are affected by a closing announcement, updated information will be made available via the Weather Alerts Line at the number listed above. The Communications Center (ext. 3314) will be kept advised but should only be called if the above methods are unavailable.

Parking Bans
To facilitate snow removal from campus roads and lots, parking bans will be in effect from 12:00 midnight to 5:00 a.m. following any accumulating snowfall. Parking bans may be in effect the night after the snowfall as well. During this period, employees may park vehicles in the Coffin Street and Farley Field House parking lots. Perimeter parking is also available along Sills Drive next to Dayton Arena and along the north side of College Street to the south of Dayton Arena as designated. Vehicles parked in the following lots will be towed unless prior arrangements have been made with Security due to out of town travel or other special circumstances:

  • North Campus Drive and Circle
  • South Campus Drive and Circle
  • Coles Tower Drive
  • Druckenmiller Hall/Morrell Gym/Dayton Arena parking lot
  • Sills Drive next to Druckenmiller
  • Health Center parking lot
  • Russwurm African American Center parking lot
  • Admissions/Burton-Little lot
  • Lancaster parking lot
  • Chamberlain Hall parking lot

Event Cancellations
If weather conditions make it necessary to cancel or postpone a campus event, the event presenter must notify the Campus Scheduling Office (ext. 3433; events@bowdoin.edu) if the cancellation occurs between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, so that room reservations and related services (Dining, AV, etc.) can be canceled.

If the decision to cancel the event occurs on the weekend or at night, when the Campus Scheduler is not available, the event presenter must contact individual campus offices that provide services, such as Facilities Management, IT Equipment Services, Dining Service, and Security. Refer to your scheduling confirmation sheet for these service providers' contact information.

To publicize to the campus and the public that the event has been canceled or postponed, contact Sue Danforth in the Office of Communications and Public Affairs (sdanfort@bowdoin.edu; ext. 3832). Contacting Sue Danforth is for publicity purposes only, and does not provide cancellation information to the Campus Scheduler, Facilities Management, Audio Visual, Dining Service, Security, or other campus offices that provide services for events.

Payroll
Specific payroll procedures will be distributed as needed in the event of closing.

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