Responsible Office: Academic Affairs Approved By: President's Council Approved Date: 1/1/2010 Effective Date: 1/27/2021 Category: Academics Description/Purpose: Due to severe inclement weather the University may find it necessary to delay, or cancel classes, or may declare the classes as a required "virtual class day" in lieu of cancellation. Delay or cancellation of classes, or declaration of "virtual class day" does not mean that the University is closed. In fact, when classes are delayed or cancelled, or when a virtual class day is in effect, operations continue. Details: Guidelines for Delayed Starts, Class Cancellations, or Virtual Class Day A "two-hour delay" means that daytime classes which normally begin at 8:00 a.m. will not begin until 10:00 a.m., and all other daytime classes will begin at the times specified on the compressed class schedule. "Classes canceled" means no classes will be held that day. (If necessary, evening classes, including graduate classes, will be canceled later in the day and the appropriate announcements made). "Virtual Class Day" declaration means that formal face to face classes are not meeting for the day and that faculty and students are holding classes for that day via the Canvas online platform, or via a plan (coordinated with the department chair) to hold the class on campus or remotely for all or part of the day, or via a plan (coordinated with the registrar) to reschedule the class session or lab for an alternate time during the semester. Guidance for students regarding this virtual class day are to be described in each course syllabus. Decision on delays, or cancellations, or virtual class day declaration are made by members of the administration (University Police, Student Development and Academic Affairs) as early as possible, generally by 5:30 a.m. TV stations are notified of cancellations, or delayed starts, or the declared virtual class day immediately by the Marketing and Public Relations Office. In most cases, these local stations provide timely announcements of such delays, and cancellations and/or declarations. Also you can receive a text message by signing up for RAVE Alert. See link on my.francis.edu to sign up for text alerts via RAVE. The following television stations will be notified: Television Stations
The Marketing and Public Relations Office will also coordinate the dissemination of information to the campus community by posting on our website, www.francis.edu and my.francis.edu. Announcements that indicate "two-hour delay" and "classes are cancelled" mean that all classes will not be held during that period of time. Any special events or activities may or may not be cancelled but will be announced by the appropriate department. Compressed Schedule Compressed Schedule for MWF classes; each 50 minute class compressed to 40 minutes
Compressed Schedule for TR classes; each 75 minute class is compressed to 70 minutes.
For daytime classes which begin at times other than the normal starting times listed above, the faculty member should contact the registrar's office to check whether to keep the same starting time or move to a later time. Classes which begin after 4:00 p.m. will remain on their normal schedule even if day classes are on a compressed schedule. However, in the event of inclement weather, each evening program, including regular day school classes held in the evening on campus, makes decisions regarding cancellation by 4:00 p.m. and notifies its students and Marketing and Public Relations. For a declared "virtual class day" faculty and students are expected to engage in their regular scheduled classes utilizing the virtual classroom and conferencing resources available to them. Faculty in their syllabi will guide students as to what to do, how and when to engage with their course and course materials should a virtual class day be declared. In essence the equivalent contact time for the class must be met when a "virtual class day" is declared. During a "two-hour delay," "classes are cancelled," and/or "virtual class day declaration" all essential personnel (Physical Plant, Dining Services, University Police, and chief administrative officers) are expected to report at the start of their regular shift due to the nature of their responsibilities. Essential personnel unable to report at the normal time must contact a supervisor. During a "two-hour delay" other operations will be permitted a two-hour delay in opening. In the event classes are cancelled or a "virtual class day" is declared, non-teaching personnel should make every effort to report to work and provide regular services. However, time missed by non-teaching personnel or essential personnel during a "two-hour delay," "class cancellation," or "virtual class day" must be either made up within the same pay period or time off charged to vacation or personal leave. The same applies in the event of an early dismissal due to weather conditions. Questions should be directed to the Human Resources Office. If there are no classes in session and there is inclement weather employees are still expected to report to work in the same manner as above. Always be safe and make sound decisions about traveling in poor weather conditions. In the event of a "state of emergency" (i.e., power outage due to weather, or as declared by the Governor), the University will provide employees and students with instructions regarding the status of operations. Essential personnel (Physical Plant, Dining Services, University Police, and chief administrative officers) will be required to report and all other employees will be advised via regular communications (listed above) as to the status of operations. Every effort will be made to keep employees informed. It is the responsibility of the employee to contact a supervisor if unsure of the status of University operations. In addition to Dining Services, University Police, and Physical Plant, personnel in Health Services, Stokes Athletics Center, and Residence Life and other areas may be needed. Essential personnel who work during the time the campus cannot continue normal operations shall be eligible for equivalent time off or receive double time. In the short-term (1-2 days), all other University employees scheduled to work will be paid for time missed in the event the University cannot continue normal operations. Approval: President's Council revised 01/27/2021
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