Campus Closings, Cancellations, and Late Start Policy
Penn State provides general guidance on winter weather delay and cancellation procedures.
In the event of a disruption due to inclement weather or another emergency, individuals can stay informed of delays and cancellations through the PSUAlert system and the campus website homepage.
When campus is closed due to inclement weather or another emergency, classes, activities and work are canceled. In the event of an unanticipated disruption to classes and/or campus operations, you may obtain official information and updates by:
Signing up for PSUAlert
PSUAlert is the emergency notification system used to alert members of Penn State’s campus communities of emergencies, campus closings, and other urgent information. All Penn State students and employees will automatically receive PSUAlert notifications through their Penn State email accounts. Using this system, students, faculty, and staff members can register devices and additional email addresses to receive emergency alerts. Go to http://psualert.518331.com/psualert/ to sign up and learn more.
Checking the campus website, Facebook, and Twitter
Please note: Posting on the website, Facebook and Twitter will be dependent on Internet connection and power.
PSUAlert messages will be posted at the top of the home page on the campus website, as well as on the campus Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pennstatebrandywine
Twitter:
http://twitter.com/PSUBrandywine
In the event of a significant snowfall or snow closure, please remove your vehicle from campus parking areas so the maintenance department can clear snow from the lots. Orchard Hall residents will receive instructions on where to park their vehicles.
Classes
Based on a course’s mode of delivery, the following actions apply:
- In-person or Remote Synchronous: In-person classes scheduled during a campus closure are canceled. Instructors may offer content asynchronously (such as recording a lecture for students to watch at another time or asking students to complete a reading or other self-directed learning activity). The class may not meet remote synchronously except for when extenuating circumstances exist (see University Faculty Senate policy 45-00).
- Hybrid: Hybrid classes scheduled to meet in-person during a campus closure will not be held, however, content may be offered asynchronously. Instructors should communicate directly with their students regarding their plans for their classes during the impacted period.
- Remote Asynchronous: Classes will continue to be offered as planned with no changes.
Late Start Policy — Two-Hour Delay
In the event of a delayed opening with a two-hour delay:
MWF classes:
- The first classes held are the 10:10 a.m. classes, meeting at the regular time, with a regular schedule following. Classes scheduled to start earlier than 10 a.m. are canceled.
- The campus opens at 10 a.m. and staff report at 10 a.m. unless otherwise notified.
TR classes:
- The first classes held are the 10:35 classes, with a regular schedule following. Classes scheduled to start earlier than 10 a.m. are canceled.
- The campus opens at 10 a.m. and staff report at 10 a.m. unless otherwise notified.
Early Dismissals
Early dismissal decisions depend on the time and severity of the weather. Stay tuned to PSUAlert to get immediate updates.
On-campus, in-person activities
Any in-person activities scheduled during a campus closure are canceled. Activities beginning after the campus closure will be held as originally scheduled. For example, if campus is opening at 10 a.m., activities scheduled to begin at or after 10 a.m. will be held as scheduled.
Employee Policy on Weather-Related Absences or Closedowns
HRG10 outlines the University’s policy on handling “weather day” absences or official University closedowns due to weather conditions. Employees who perform essential services should report as scheduled.
Employees who perform “essential” services: Employees who are required to report to campus for work and have been previously identified as performing duties essential to maintaining operations should report to campus as directed. During such events, employees who are required to report to campus for work are eligible for Campus Closure Compensatory Time, subject to guideline provisions. Employees should clarify their status as essential or nonessential with their supervisor before inclement weather strikes.
All other employees at Brandywine should not report to work until the resumption of normal campus operations and are eligible for Campus Closure Pay per university policy. Employees should review the “official closedowns” section of the University’s Handling Weather Day Absences policy (Human Resources Guideline 10) for specific information on how time missed for weather situations is handled.
- Those who are on campus when a campus closure begins are dismissed. These employees will be eligible for Campus Closure Pay for the portion of their shift after the start of the campus closure, subject to guideline requirements.
- Those scheduled to begin work during the campus closure and end after the campus has reopened should report when the campus reopens to complete a partial day. These employees will be eligible for Campus Closure Pay for the portion of their shift during the campus closure, subject to guideline requirements.
- Those whose work hours are scheduled to begin and end during the campus closure should not report. These employees will be eligible for Campus Closure Pay, subject to guideline requirements.
- Those scheduled to report at or after the campus reopens should report as regularly scheduled.
Employees who have questions about a campus closure should contact their unit’s Human Resources consultant.
Additional weather information
Decisions to cancel on-campus work and other activities at Brandywine are made when it is determined to be in the best safety interest of the University community. University officials will monitor conditions and provide updates as necessary. The most up-to-date information will be shared via Penn State’s PSUAlert system and http://www.brandywine.518331.com/weather.
All employees and students are encouraged to take responsibility for their own safety. Faculty, staff and students should use their own best judgment when considering traveling to campus or the need to leave early during times of inclement weather. Faculty and staff should review Handling Weather Day Absences (Human Resources Guideline 10) for specific information on how time missed for weather situations is handled. Union-represented employees should reference their collective bargaining agreements. Information on class attendance policies is available at undergrad.518331.com and in Faculty Senate Policy 42-27 (Class Attendance).