Operating Status of the University
The operating status of the university will be
determined by evaluating the condition of the
campus, the condition of roads and public transportation,
and the predicted weather. When a decision is
announced, it will apply to all activities in
all university facilities, including the Main
campus, Tenley campus, Law School building, and
other off-campus buildings. Activities at all
other locations will be governed by the operating
status of that location. This policy and the decision-making
process are in effect seven days a week and apply
to all university activities. An announced decision
will reflect one of the following choices:
Communicating the University's Operating
Status
The university's operating status will be communicated
to the television and radio stations listed below.
103.5 FM WTOP
Channel 7 WJLA 630 AM WMALThe university's status will be reported using
the AU Campus Connect messaging service. Individuals
who have registered for Campus Connect will receive
a text message or e-mail, when a weather emergency
decision is made. To sign up for Campus Connect
follow this link.
https://www.getrave.com/login/american.
AU's telephone information line is (202)
885-1100. It will provide general information
on the university's operating status and detailed
schedule information on essential services such
as the computing center, library, shuttle service,
and sports center.
Information will be available by the following
times so that students and employees can make
appropriate arrangements (weekend class announcements
follow the same guidelines as weekdays):
All other buildings will be closed and secured;
all activities/classes will be canceled. Public
Safety officers cannot provide access for employees
who do not have keys to their buildings because
of their additional safety responsibilities during
an emergency closing.
Leave and Compensation
Full-time staff excused due to an emergency closing
or delay will be paid for the days and hours they
were scheduled to work. Part-time staff will not
be compensated for time lost due to a closing.
Non-exempt employees classified as essential will
receive an additional hour's pay for each hour
worked during an emergency closing period. The
effective times of emergency closing periods are
as follows:
Commonly Asked Questions About the Policy
Q: Should I call Public Safety to find out whether the university is open, closed, or delayed?
A. Please do not call Public Safety. Call the information line at x1100. Calling Public Safety ties up the phone lines and interferes with emergency calls.
Q: How will I know if an off-campus class or activity has been canceled?
A. Suspension of classes and activities at off-campus public locations will be governed by the situation prevailing in the particular school district or facility in which the class or activity is to be held. (For example, if Montgomery County schools are closed, university classes or activities in that county's facilities are canceled. If federal installations have excused employees, university classes or activities in those facilities are canceled.) Activities held at private institutions will be governed by whether those facilities are open.
Q: How can I find out whether a cooperative education or internship activity has been canceled?
A. Co-op or internship participants should follow the policy of their individual work site when the university is closed. If you are unclear about the work site policy, you should speak directly to your site supervisor for instructions. Students who have interview appointments for co-ops or internships should call the employing organization.
Q: How is the cancellation of a weekend class handled?
A. Decisions about the cancellation of classes on weekends (including weekend classes held on Friday) will be made following the same guidelines on campus availability. Cancellations will be announced through the media. Essential services will be provided during a weekend closing just as they are during a weekday closing. Call x1100 for updates.
Q: How can I find out if the shuttle service is operating?
A. Call x1100 for detailed schedule information.
Q: What can I do if I have a question about emergency closing relevant only to my unit?
A. All deans, directors, and department heads should have up-to-date policies and procedures regarding closings relevant to their units. If the university is closed during the work day, unit managers have the authority to decide how to utilize their staff and are responsible for deciding how best to conduct business.
contact: rmo@american.edu
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