Weather Emergency Cancellation Policy
for Miami University Hamilton

January 26, 2009                                                                                                                   

TO: Hamilton Campus Community

FROM:  Daniel E. Hall, Campus Dean

WEATHER EMERGENCY CANCELLATION POLICY FOR
MIAMI UNIVERSITY HAMILTON

It is Miami University policy to hold scheduled classes, except during emergency situations.

The decision to cancel classes on the Hamilton Campus will be posted to the campus website and to Weatherline by 6:30 am for day classes and by 4:00 pm for the evening classes.  An E2 alert will also be sent to subscribers. 

In the six years I have been involved in this process, I have learned that our weather typically confounds this process.  Rarely does the snow or ice occur at a time that fits this policy, which represents an “ideal.”  Although we make every effort to conform to this process, you should be prepared for decisions to be made at times other than 6:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., as necessary to respond to what is often unpredictable and rapidly changing weather conditions. 

In bad weather, the campus will make every reasonable effort to remain open.  It is expected that all faculty members will make every effort to hold class when the campus is open.  However, if an instructor deems it absolutely necessary to cancel a specific class despite the fact that the campus is open, then the instructor is expected to call Linda Rosenberger at 785-3200.  If you are not able to talk with Linda directly, leave a voice mail including the class, time and room number.  Do not send email messages. 

If classes are cancelled during final exams, faculty and students should consult the campus website for the revised exam schedule. The Public Relations office will continually update the Weatherline and the website with the list of any classes not being held that day.

The Public Relations office, in cooperation with the University News Bureau, will contact area radio and television stations with the cancellation notice.  Miami is part of a Cincinnati area radio emergency network system which conveys closing and cancellation information for schools, colleges, and universities, to all of the participating stations in the Cincinnati market.  Hamilton and Middletown stations are notified as well. 

A statement which may be used from time-to-time for cancellations and closings is:

 Plan A – classes are cancelled, but all staff report as usual

Plan B – campus is closed, but emergency staff for custodial and maintenance services              report as usual

Beware that news agencies have their own language for reporting cancellations and closings.  That language is often different from what the campus reports to them.  Accordingly, the best source of information is our campus website and Weatherline.  Anyone in doubt on a given day may call the campus Weatherline at (513)785-3077 or check the web site www.ham.muohio.edu.

Should you need to consult the media, listen to or watch:

WHIO-AM 1290
WMOH-AM 1450
WVXU-FM 91.7
WMUB-FM 88.5
WPFB-FM 105.9
WKRC-AM 550
WEBN-FM 102.7
WLW-AM 700
WPFB-AM 910  

WKRC-TV 12 (CBS)
WLWT-TV 5 (NBC)
WCPO-TV 9 (ABC)
WXIX-TV 19 (FOX)