Depending on the reason for the cancellation or closing, emergency services or other outside entities (fire departments, law enforcement agencies, energy providers, system office, etc.) may suggest or require modifications to this procedure. Implementation of SCSUs emergency operation plans will also modify this procedure.
Decision Making
Information is monitored and gathered from multiple sources across campus. Generally, an unforeseen event that has the potential to impact normal operating activities will be identified in the Department of Public Safety. The director of public safety or the director of risk and emergency management (or designee, or other appropriate employee) will initiate the decision-making process by conducting research and gathering data. This may include, but is not limited to:
- checking the SCSU Event Management System (EMS) or contacting appropriate event coordinators to determine activities that could be affected by operational changes,
- consulting with experts such as the SCSU Meteorology faculty or staff trained in emergency preparedness,
- making calls to the city of St. Cloud or other external entities, or
- consultation with facilities supervisors about the number of staff on
The information gathered during this process will be communicated to senior campus administrators such as the Vice President for University Affairs, the Vice President for Finance and Administration, the Provost, the Vice President for Student Affairs, and the President. The President may contact others for further consultation. Employees or outside entities contacted by SCSU personnel will vary depending on the circumstances and the situation. Decisions are made after joint consultation about risks, safety, and the particular conditions of each unique situation. The President (or designee) is the final decision-maker.
Campus-wide messages will be broadcast as soon as practical based on the circumstances and timing of the decision. Essential workers who will continue to have operational roles such as facilities, public safety, residential life, and food service staff will receive assignment changes and reporting expectations from unit supervisors.
Weather Specific Changes
Inclement weather creates specific risks that need to be examined to ensure the safety and well-being of our campus faculty, staff, and students. Campus operational changes due to weather may include closing campus, postponing, delaying, or canceling in-person campus events and activities, or switching to a remote work/remote learning model. When making weather-related operational decisions, in compliance with Minnesota State Board Policy 4.4 SCSU will reference information available from pertinent state and local authorities as time and circumstances allow including State Highway Patrol, Minnesota Department of Transportation (and/or MnDOT website), Stearns County Emergency Management, the National Weather Service, Minnesota State, Metro Bus, St. Cloud Technical and Community College, St Cloud School District, City of St. Cloud Public Works Department (snow removal), and others as appropriate.
Decisions regarding weather-related operational changes of SCSU at Plymouth will follow the same investigativeandconsultativeapproachusingdatarelevanttothePlymouthlocation.
Notifications
SCSU makes every effort to announce any operational changes, especially cancellations or closings by 5 a.m. (6 a.m. for SCSU at Plymouth) for day classes and events and before 3 p.m. for evening classes and events. Closings for SCSU satellite locations at other institutions follow hosting campus’s decisions regarding closings, cancellations and delays.
In addition to campus-wide Star Alerts and e-mail, notifications or operational changes will also be posted on the university website and SCSU social media accounts.