Now that winter is here: A safety reminder from the Campus Response Team

Dear Anchorage campus community:



Now that the snow has made its way to Anchorage, the Campus Response Team (CRT) would like to remind you of the snow and weather-related closure procedures at UAA. Below you will find helpful information about where to learn about UAA's campus-closure status.

The decision to cancel any or all UAA activities is made only by the Chancellor or designee. With weather-related cancelations, UAA makes every effort to announce any potential closures by 6 a.m. for day classes and by 4 p.m. for evening classes. The CRT makes an assessment and recommendation.

UAA uses several methods of communication to notify students, staff and faculty of emergencies or closures: University e-mail; UAA website at www.uaa.alaska.edu; phone recording: (907) 786-1800; radio/television (all major outlets are contacted); Facebook: become a friend of UAA and get updates on your Facebook Wall (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Anchorage-AK/UAA-University-of-Alaska-Anchorage/57576345235); Twitter: sign up to receive UAA's emergency alerts on Twitter (http://twitter.com/UAA_Alert).

To help expedite notification of broadcast outlets and to speed campus notification, please do not personally call University Police to inquire about closure status. Check your e-mail, listen to the radio or TV and check the web page for accurate information. An Anchorage School District (ASD) closure DOES NOT mean that UAA will also close; UAA makes its decisions independently of ASD.



What if UAA is open and I can't meet my class or get to work?
There may be times when conditions in an individual neighborhood prevent faculty from meeting their classes. If this happens, notify your dean's office or department chair as soon as possible so that students can be notified. Staff members should notify their supervisor. Keep a class roster at home, or set up a phone tree in your class. It is the responsibility of the faculty member and the department to notify students if individual classes are canceled when the university remains open.



What if students can't make it to class?

Faculty should remember that conditions can vary dramatically around the Anchorage bowl during major snowfalls. We make every effort to keep UAA open and operating in our northern environment, but we recognize that there may be times when students, like faculty, face local conditions that make travel impractical.

Please keep in mind that Alaska is snow and ice country. If potentially bad weather is in the forecast, check the information sources listed above before setting out on your commute to UAA. During the winter months, allow extra time for travel to and from campus.

We hope you have an enjoyable and safe winter!



The Campus Response Team

UAA