The university community is reminded of procedures for announcing operational changes during periods of inclement winter weather.
By policy, the university makes one of three announcements: UGA is open and operating on a regular schedule; UGA is closed; or UGA will delay opening until a specific time.
An all campus e-mail is the primary means to distribute such announcements. The announcement also is posted to the UGA home page (www.uga.edu) and on the UGA Today news page (www.uga.edu/news).
Up-to-date information is provided to Athens radio stations as follows:
- on the AM dial: 880, 960 and 1340; and
- on the FM dial: 88.9, 90.5, 91.7, 97.9, 102.1, 103.7 and 106.1.
Information is posted on University Cable Channel 15, which also is carried on channel 15 of the cable system serving Clarke and Oconee counties. Athens radio stations are used primarily because they give priority to UGA announcements where Atlanta stations cannot. Atlanta TV and radio stations that have requested to receive UGA weather announcements also are notified, but should not be considered a primary source for closing announcements.
If inclement winter weather develops overnight, every attempt is made to post announcements and notify media by 6:30 a.m.
If the inclement weather develops after 6:30 a.m. on a school/work day, the same procedures as described earlier are used, as well as notice being made to the office of each vice president and dean for further distribution through their departments.
When weather conditions are such that closings occur two or more days in succession, the procedure is followed each day, with an announcement being made each morning by 6:30. An evening announcement usually will not be made for the next day except in the most extreme weather circumstances.
On days when the university generally is scheduled to be closed-such as Saturdays, Sundays and holidays-the university does not usually make blanket closing announcements. Instead, departments and units that have normal operations on weekends and holidays, or units planning to host or present special programs on those days, should make their own prior arrangements with employees and participants as to how to proceed in the case of inclement weather. This likely will be accomplished best by providing in advance a Web site or a telephone number that people may contact for information specific to the department or event.
When the University of Georgia is officially closed, it is closed for everyone: faculty, staff and students. Departments will designate in advance those employees expected to report to work during a weather emergency.
