Weathering the storm

By Abbie Stevens, StevensA6@Findlay.edu

Due to frigid below zero temperatures last week, UF students enjoyed a five-day weekend with Martin Luther King Day and two snow days. 

“During periods of inclement weather, the University considers the safety of its employees and students of utmost importance,” Vice President for Student Affairs and Athletics Brandi Laurita. 

Laurita states that campus references the Ohio Road Alert system when making decisions about operations. UF’s main campus typically remains open during Level I snow alerts in Hancock County, may close or may choose to remain open during Level II alerts, and closes during Level III alerts with some classes choosing to move Online. 

Closures for other weather conditions, such as last week’s extreme cold, are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.  

“In the event of extreme cold, as we had last week, the cabinet discussed the safety of our students walking about on campus and made the best decision we could for the campus.” Laurita said.  

Weather-related closure decisions are made by the President, the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, and the Vice President for Student Affairs and Athletics.  

Unlike most K-12 schools, UF does not have a set number of snow/weather days campus is allowed to close.  

“The safety of our students and staff is the only driving force behind the decision to alter the standard schedule,” Laurita said. 

Decisions about whether in-person classes will be cancelled altogether, moved to synchronous online lectures, or replaced with asynchronous assignments on snow days is typically up to professor discretion.  

UF’s barns operate under different weather closure standards than the University’s main campus. Decisions about farm closures are made by the Director of Equestrian Studies Meri Marsh and the Farm Business Manager Jake Bowman.  

“The farm animals must be cared for regardless of the weather,” Laurita said.  

Students can find the most up-to-date information about the impacts of weather on university operations here, as well as via Oiler Alert emails and text messages.