Severe Weather Policy

Pitt-Titusville’s general severe weather policy is to remain open, except in the most extreme circumstances. University faculty, staff and students are urged to use their own discretion in deciding whether they can safely commute to class or to work. Faculty are advised to be as accommodating as is reasonable when students miss class because of severe weather conditions.

Public announcements will be communicated to area radio and TV stations for broadcast regarding any official closures or delays no later than 6:15 a.m. If severe weather commences later in the day, public announcements of class cancellations or campus closure will be made as quickly as possible. Information on weather-related cancellations will be placed on the University home page (www.titusville.pitt.edu). Information on weather-related cancellations will also be communicated using the University’s Emergency Notification System by voice messaging, text messaging, or both, depending on the subscriber’s preference.

When conditions appear to be extreme, the following procedures will be followed:

• On-duty officers shall actively monitor the local weather to determine if there is a basis to cancel or delay classes and/or shut down the campus entirely except for essential employees. If the ambient weather conditions warrant or extreme weather conditions are imminent, officers shall contact the Officer in Charge of Campus Police (or designee) for guidance. The ultimate decision to modify the existing campus schedule rests with the Campus President or Executive Director of the ETC.
• The Campus President or Executive Director of the ETC should be notified before 5 a.m. with enough information to make an educated decision about altering the campus hours of operation for the day. 5:30 a.m. will be considered the last possible time to execute a change in the campus schedule unless dire exigent circumstances exist.
• The Officer in Charge of Campus Police shall notify University of Pittsburgh Police in the event the decision is made to use the ENS system to notify the campus community.
• The Executive Director of the ETC will contact the Executive Director of Communications and Marketing regarding a decision to (a) remain open; (b) cancel morning classes only; (c) cancel morning and afternoon classes; (d) cancel all classes, including evening; (e) in the most severe situation, close the university.
• The Executive Director of Communications and Marketing will send an email to campus faculty, staff and student distribution lists to make announcement of closing and cancellation decisions.
• The Executive Director of the ETC will notify the Hub partners of the closing and/or cancellation via email
• The Executive Director of Communications and Marketing also will contact the appropriate personnel to announce a closing and/or cancellation on the University’s social media accounts, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
• The Executive Director of Communications and Marketing will call area radio and television stations to make announcement of closing public by 6 a.m.

• In the event the Executive Director of Communications and Marketing is unreachable, the President will call the Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing.
• Essential services, which are comprised of dining services, facilities management, Campus Police and Security, should report to work unless otherwise advised. In the event of severe weather conditions moving in during the day, a similar, timely decision- making and notification process will be followed.
• The Communications and Marketing Office will provide Campus Police and Security with standard written advisories for such occasions, which they may use for phone calls they receive.