Inclement weather procedures for employees

Given inclement weather is in the forecast, it is important to review Rowan’s inclement weather procedures.  

Student safety

The Student Handbook states it is the student's decision, based on their assessment of the situation, whether or not to attend class. Students will not be penalized for missing classes because of inclement weather, but they must contact their professors prior to class and make up any work assigned. 

Employee guidance

All employees designated as “essential employees” by the University and/or state must come to work and remain at work in accordance with policy and protocols. 

Employees classified as non-essential during inclement weather who feel uncomfortable driving may choose to leave before the University closes or not report to work. In either case, they must notify their supervisor and make reasonable arrangements for any work assignments affected by their absence or early departure.  

Reasonable arrangements may include having the employee work remotely for the remainder of the day (or the entire workday, however the case may be) should remote work be an appropriate and feasible option for the employee on that day. If remote work is not possible for the employee that day, or the remainder of the workday, the employee and the supervisor may agree that the employee can use accrued vacation time, comp time, administrative leave or floating holiday to cover the employee’s time for the day. 

Employees can review the Employee Inclement Weather Policy for more information.  Please click on the link to access that policy.

Faculty have the discretion to switch their in-person classes to virtual instruction.

If campuses physically close 

When any of Rowan’s campuses are physically closed, all employees designated as “essential employees” must come to work and remain at work. All other employees are expected to work remotely, when applicable, throughout the campus closure (see policy and protocols)

Faculty should hold in-person classes virtually using videoconferencing (Zoom or WebEx), instructional tools in Canvas, and other means for maintaining instructional continuity as appropriate. Resources for faculty are available on the Faculty Center’s Instructional Continuity Plan webpage. Online classes are unaffected by campus closures. 

As a reminder, Rowan has several campuses and many medical offices across the region. Closures can differ from campus to campus and site to site.  

If the Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine's ambulatory practices (Rowan Medicine) are physically closed, clinics will offer telehealth appointments. Rowan Medicine, Virtua Medical Group Affiliate providers and staff with essential in-patient duties should report as scheduled and await any further guidance from Rowan Medicine administrators and supervisors.

Notification of closure or delayed opening 

The University uses the Rowan Alert system, email, social media and the Rowan website to notify students and employees when there is a delay or closure. The expectation should always be that the campuses are operating normally unless otherwise indicated.  

Notifications about campus closures are made by 6 a.m. for day classes and 3 p.m. for evening classes. 

If weather and campus conditions permit, delayed opening times will be at 9:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. Early closure times are 1:45, 3:15 or 4:45 p.m. 

Rowan Medicine, Virtua Medical Group Affiliate providers and staff with in-patient duties will receive separate guidance from Rowan Medicine administrators and supervisors. 

On occasion, the governor may declare a “state of emergency” due to inclement weather. This may also include a declaration that state agencies and offices will not open or will close early. Please note, this does NOT dictate what the University does locally, unless there is a declaration that all roads in the state must be clear of traffic. 

Again, unless announced otherwise, the University will always be physically open. Balancing weather conditions with holding classes and keeping the campuses and remote offices open can be very difficult. We thank the University community for understanding the complexity of the situation and for being patient during inclement weather.