Please note the following information from the Office of the Vice President for Student Life.

University of Iowa policy (Operations Manual Chapter II Section 22) calls for the University of Iowa, whenever possible, to continue to function during inclement weather. This document describes procedures for those rare instances in which the weather dictates canceling classes, other academic exercises, and other events.

I. Cancellation of classes and other academic exercises. Cancellation of classes interferes substantially with the University’s educational mission.  In general, education will be disrupted less by allowing classes to continue, even though some students and some instructors will be unable to come to campus, than by canceling all classes.

a. Classes may be canceled when roads in proximity to campus are impassible or forecasted to be impassible. Classes may also be canceled when conditions are forecasted that could pose a significant risk to the health and safety of those in the campus community.
b. Determination. When extreme weather is forecast, the Vice President for Student Life will consult with the Provost, the Associate Vice President for Human Resources, and the President to discuss options in advance of the arrival of the storm.  In the Vice President’s absence, the Associate Vice President and Dean of Students will act in the Vice President’s place.
Before 5:30 AM on any day on which class cancellation is under consideration, the Vice President for Student Life will consult with the Department of Public Safety, Parking and Transportation, Facilities Management, and other relevant departments to determine campus conditions. Based on campus conditions, the Vice President will make a decision about canceling class and other academic exercises.
c. Timing. Whenever possible, the Vice President for Student Life will decide whether to cancel daytime classes by 6:00 AM, and evening classes (i.e., classes starting after 4:30 PM) by noon.
d. Announcement. If classes are canceled, the announcement will contain the following information:

i. Classes have been canceled at the University of Iowa for [date] or beginning with classes scheduled to meet at [time] on [date].
ii. The reason for cancellation.
iii. A statement indicating that students with clinical responsibilities should check with their preceptor or faculty member for guidance.
iv. A statement indicating that employees should make every reasonable effort to report to work as scheduled but to avoid serious risks when traveling to and from work and to actively communicate with their supervisor regarding their timeliness and attendance.
v. See http://emergency.uiowa.edu for further information.
[Note: When other events in the area are being canceled or delayed, the Vice President for Student Life and the designated Office of Strategic Communication staff member will decide whether to provide a notice saying that classes will meet.]

e. If classes are canceled, the Vice President for Student Life will call one of the designated staff members in the Office of Strategic Communication and convey that decision. OSC staff will:

i. Request DPS send out a Hawk Alert using a template as the basis (see Appendix D),
ii. Update the university’s web pages including Iowa Now, the UI home page, the emergency website, and social media sites with the announcement,
iii. Review draft text for a mass email to all faculty, staff, and students, and
iv. Notify media outlets.

The Vice President for Student Life will send the mass email notification after emailing the President, the president’s cabinet, the collegiate deans, and identified associate deans.

II. Non-academic events

a. Organizers of non-academic events are responsible for the decision about cancellation for their event. In general, if academic events are canceled, other events should be canceled.
b. Organizers who cancel events should work with Strategic Communication staff to inform those intending to attend the event. Hawk Alert will not be used to announce individual cancellations.

Thank you for your attention to these important procedures.