Although it’s still a beautiful fall day outside, the weather forecast for lake-effect snow over the next few days prompts me to clarify our campus actions in the face of typical weather events and the anticipated storm from 6:00 a.m. Thursday, December 8, through 6:00 a.m. Saturday, December 10, 2016. (See the National Weather Service inclement weather alert posted on the home page of the campus website: www.fredonia.edu/emergency
For those who may be new to the area, lake-effect snow is unpredictable, with narrow bands that can dump intense, fast snowfall but clear skies within just a few miles. One community can be buried in snow, and a nearby one may see just a dusting. Five minutes after a whiteout, the snow can seem to be turned off suddenly. So a forecast of lake-effect snow has us all watching to see how and whether and how long we might be affected.
The University Police monitor safety and transportation alerts within Chautauqua County and beyond, and the closing of the Thruway has been a benchmark for us in cancelling classes and activities. That doesn’t mean that if the Thruway is closed, we don’t have classes, as sometimes it is closed for other reasons. But if the Thruway closes, there is a greater likelihood that some people cannot get here, and it causes us to take a close look at canceling classes.
Generally, because we are a residential campus, we want to keep classes and services for students as fully operational as possible. Unlike schools that actually close for the day due to weather, people live here. SUNY institutions close only at the direction of the Governor and only in rare emergencies. The President does have the authority to cancel classes and campus activities—such as performances, athletic events, meetings, and community events—but many services are essential because so many students live on campus. Employees should check with their supervisors about whether they are considered "essential" and what that means in terms of their role and duties.
I am grateful to the many staff members who do their best to clear roads and walkways, provide food services, monitor and maintain building comfort, provide academic support, provide health and counseling services, and attend to safety. Especially because this is the last week of classes, continuing instruction is a priority for all of us, so cancellation is a last resort.
Please assume that unless you hear otherwise, scheduled classes and events will be held. If there are cancellations, you would be notified through a text by NY Alert (Sign up first), by checking the home page of the Fredonia website, and on the Fredonia Twitter and Facebook pages.
That being said, I encourage all of you to be mindful of a few important principles:
Safety. Be extra cautious on campus and community roads and walkways. Take your time, and assume that surfaces are slippery. Before driving, clear the snow from your vehicle, and be sure you have plenty of gas for delays and windshield fluid for the salt on the roads. If you’re living off campus, have shovels and salt ready to clear walkways, and allow more time for snow removal, walking, and driving.
Good judgment. Those who live off campus are in the best position to know whether you should be on the roads, given your commute, your experience as a winter driver, your vehicle, and your level of fatigue. Staff members who choose to stay home must use accruals, but supervisors should be understanding and supportive of that choice. Turn to friends in town if you need a place to stay. If the floodlights are on at Lanford House (194 Central Avenue), it’s a sign that you’re welcome there if you need a place to warm up, wait out the weather, or stay.
Communication and Preparation. Use the tools available—email, texts, OnCourse, phone—to connect with those you need to if the weather prevents you from meeting face to face. Faculty who need to cancel class should be sure to communicate that to students and their departments as soon as possible. Have a plan in case the weather changes suddenly. As faculty and students prepare for finals week, it’s a good idea to think ahead about electronic alternatives should there be issues next week.
Flexibility and Generosity. When business as usual is disrupted, all of us need to be flexible in our approaches and generous with one another. Please know that although a trace of snow may be on a sidewalk, someone may have shoveled that walk—in the cold—for an hour before. The person who prepared or served your food may have traveled through treacherous weather to get to campus. People may be late because of travel issues. And please consider those with mobility challenges—imagine navigating a wheelchair or crutches through slush!—and show understanding if they don’t venture across campus.
On a positive note, lake-effect snow may provide spectacular photography and recreational opportunities and—more importantly—be the best possible studying weather! Students, I encourage you to use these days to hunker down, stay inside and get the papers and projects done, and curl up with a good textbook and your notes. Study together to stay warm and avoid the isolation that can sometime happen in inclement weather.
We will continue to use the website, email, radio/television stations, social media, and NY Alert to communicate about any cancellations.
