Message from the Office of the Chancellor

December 9, 2020 - Updated Campus Closure Practices for Inclement Weather

Dear UMSL Students,

As fall is ending, it’s time to prepare for expected winter weather. This academic year, UMSL and our fellow UM System universities have modified campus closure practices to reduce interruptions caused by severe inclement weather. Rather than close campus operations entirely during weather-related events, classes and instruction will shift to remote learning when needed.

This means that students who have scheduled classes on days when the campus is physically closed due inclement weather will shift their engagement in classes to remote learning. Your faculty members will determine the most appropriate formats for instruction on these days such as holding an online synchronous class meeting, assigning readings or other assignments to be completed asynchronously. Instructors will proactively communicate expectations with students when a decision to close on-campus operations is made.

Of course, whenever possible, UMSL will remain open for on-campus instructional activities during winter weather. On those days when the campus remains open, students are expected to exercise judgement when deciding if they can travel safely to campus. Each individual’s circumstance will be different; therefore, instructors will facilitate conversations to determine what options exist for their classes during a closure.

Under severe weather conditions, university officials may announce that on-campus operations will have a late start, have an early closure or close for the entire day. Even if our on-campus activities are suspended, classes and work will continue remotely when possible, ensuring that students can make academic progress and productivity is maintained.

If there is a change in campus operations due to severe weather, the university will:

• Issue an UMSL Alert, triggering a text message to all registered cellphone numbers and an email to the campus community;
• Post information to the UMSL homepage;
• Post information to UMSL’s main social media channels;
• Inform local media outlets; and
• Strive to provide campus status for day closures by 6 a.m. on weather-affected weekdays.

Be sure that you are signed up for UMSL Alerts and that your contact information is up to date. A text message is the fastest way to receive alerts about emergencies and campus closings.

Warm regards and best wishes for a safe and productive rest of the semester.