University Policy: Health & Public Safety
In the event that class cancellation or campus closure becomes necessary due to campus emergencies or other events, including inclement weather, that jeopardize the health, personal safety, travel safety, or security of the students and/or employees at UW-Platteville, the following policy and procedures shall be followed by all members of the university community (Administration, Faculty, Academic Staff, University Staff, LTEs, and Students).
1. Authority
1.1 Class Cancellation or Campus Closure:
The State of Wisconsin has delegated authority to the Universities of Wisconsin for decisions concerning the cancellation of classes or the closure of campuses to the public due to inclement weather. At UW-Platteville, the Chancellor’s office shall determine whether or not to cancel classes. In the absence of the Chancellor, the next authority in the university’s chain of command shall have the responsibility for taking this action. The Chancellor’s office also determines, in consultation with Universities of Wisconsin Administration, whether or not to close the campus to the public. Only the Governor has the authority to close state offices, including university offices.
There are three types of cancellations: 1. classes are cancelled; 2. classes are cancelled and the institution is closed to the public; and 3. classes are cancelled, and the campus is closed to the public and employees. In the first two types of cancellations and closures, all employees are expected to report to work as scheduled, while using discretion about whether or not they can make it safely to work. If classes are cancelled and the campus is closed to the public and employees, only essential personnel (see 3.2 and 3.3) are required to report.
1.2 Pioneer Farm:
Special consideration must be given to the off-campus status of the Pioneer Farm. Hazardous conditions (i.e. travel safety) at the Pioneer farm may require on-site classes, labs, or other activities to be cancelled while the main campus (within the City of Platteville) remains in full operation. The academic department and/or program heads, in consultation with the farm faculty and staff, will be responsible for the decision to postpone and reschedule activities at the farm. If activities are postponed at the farm, the Chancellor’s office will be notified via email with a copy to the Provost, Vice Chancellor for Administration & Finance, and Dean of Students.
1.3 UW-Platteville Branch Campus
The Branch Campus Director, in consultation with the facility manager, will decide to postpone and reschedule events held on a UW-Platteville Branch Campus. In the event that activities are postponed, the Campus Director will notify the Chancellor via email with copies sent to the Provost/Vice Chancellor, Associate Provost, and Assistant Provost as well as the Vice Chancellor for Administration & Finance. While the Branch Campus Director may decide to cancel classes and events, they do not have the authority to close the campus and send employees home from work.
2. Notification
2.1. Announcement:
The Chancellor will promptly notify the Public Information Officer (PIO) and the Chief of University Police once a decision is made to cancel classes or close the campus to the public. Once the directive from the Chancellor’s office is issued, the following methods will be used to notify the campus and Platteville communities:
2.2. UW-Platteville outlets:
- UW-Platteville all-campus e-mail
- UW-Platteville Website (all campus.uwplatt.edu pages)
- Pioneer Text Alerts
- Facebook
- X (formerly known as Twitter)
2.3. Media Outlets:
- QueenB Radio (WPVL, WGLR, KIYX) Platteville & Lancaster;
- KDTH/KATF Radio, Dubuque;
- WSUP-FM, UW-Platteville;
- WRPQ-FM, Baraboo;
- WKOW TV 27, Madison;
- WMTV 15, Madison;
- WISC TV 3, Madison;
- Platteville Journal
2.4. Universities of Wisconsin:
- Vice President for Finance and Administration
3. University Operations
3.1 Employee Responsibilities
If classes are cancelled, or if the campus is closed to the public, employees are nonetheless expected to report for work as usual. Unclassified personnel policies govern the treatment of faculty and academic staff in the event severe weather causes the disruption or cancellation of work. The effect of closure on classified staff is governed by applicable regulations and labor agreements.
3.2 Essential Operations
Specific areas of campus operation will need to continue even in the event of class cancellation, campus closure, or other campus emergency. The areas of operation and the personnel needed to ensure continued service necessary for critical university functions include the following areas, with “A” for all emergencies and “B” depending on the type of emergency:
3.2A All Emergencies
- Information Technology Services
- Dining Services
- Physical Plant
- Pioneer Farm
- Public Information Office
- Residence Life
- University Police
3.2 B Dependent on Emergency
- Children’s Center (when children are present)
- Library
- Pioneer Activity Center
- Registrar’s Office
- Student Health - Health Services, Athletic Training
Additional essential areas may be needed, depending on the nature of the emergency. Those additional areas may be requested by the EOC or department/program directors.
3.3 Essential Personnel
Positions and personnel required to perform the duties and operations under 3.2 shall be identified and defined by each department or program area, depending on those areas’ Continuity of Operation Plan. Additional personnel may be needed, depending on the nature of the emergency. Those additional personnel may be requested by the EOC or department/program directors.
3.4 Activity and Event Cancellation
In the event of class cancellation, campus closure or other campus emergency, all events and activities of an academic, extra-curricular, or non-essential nature may be cancelled, postponed, and rescheduled by the sponsoring program. Sponsoring programs will e-mail the Public Information Officer and Chief of University Police to notify them of activities and events that are cancelled, postponed, rescheduled, or taking place.
3.5 Programs, Activities, and Personnel
Departments may wish to continue to hold open gym hours, recreational activities for students, residence hall meetings, senior recital practice or faculty group practice in the CFA. Departments will e-mail the Public Information Officer and Chief of University Policy to notify them of such activities.
4. Travel
In the event that hazardous or unsafe travel conditions in the surrounding area or region contributes to the cancellation of classes or campus closure, all university-related travel involving faculty, staff, or students may be cancelled, postponed, and re-scheduled by the sponsoring program.
5. Related Documents
UW System Administrative Policy 1235: Inclement Weather/Emergency Conditions
Updated December 2016
Updated July 23, 2020 to add link to UW System Administrative Policy 1235 and add information and contact information for branch campuses at Baraboo and Richland Center. See 1.3 and added media.
Updates July 2024 to new titles and remove references to Richland Center.