Employees are expected to report to work and leave work at their scheduled time. The University should be presumed to be open and operating, unless a decision to the contrary is made and communicated by the Office of Human Resources.
After consultation regarding weather, road conditions, and other factors essential to the safety and well-being of students, faculty, and staff, the Vice Chancellor for Human Resources will make recommendation to the Chancellor regarding whether to not open, to alter the regular work schedule (open late), or to release employees early. The decision to not open, alter the regular work schedule, or release employees early, will be communicated to the Executive Vice Chancellors, Vice Chancellors, and Deans (or designees) who will be responsible for communicating the decision to their areas. The Office of Public Affairs will communicate such a decision to the public media for broadcast on radio and television, to the University operators and to the Web master for posting of an announcement on the University's homepage.
When the decision has been made to not open, alter the regular work schedule, or release employees early, employees will be paid for the entire day. Employees, who choose not to come in to work on a day where the regular work schedule has not been altered, will be compensated through the use of accrued vacation time. Employees, who choose to leave work prior to the decision being announced, will be paid regular wages for the time worked and utilize accrued vacation time for the balance of the day.
If, due to inclement weather, employees feel they cannot safely drive to work, or must leave prior to the regularly scheduled time, the supervisor may permit the employee to use vacation time. In all cases, the decision as to whether the drive to work can be made safely, or the drive home can be done more safely early in the day rather than at the completion of the workday, must remain with the individual employee.