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Inclement Weather Policy

Viterbo University Inclement Weather Policy

Viterbo University implements its Inclement Weather Plan when weather causes serious travel and/or safety concerns. During deteriorating weather conditions, it should be assumed that scheduled activities will continue unless an official announcement is made. Those who travel to or from campus should use their judgment as to whether or not such travel is wise. Whenever possible, Viterbo University will hold classes in person. Employees should reference the employee handbook for specific information. If conditions make travel difficult or dangerous, the university may decide to 1) move to a remote learning or 2) to close campus.

When a remote learning day or a campus closure is announced, employees, students and others should look to the following for changes to the regular university operations.

Any move to remote learning or campus closure announced will represent only the La Crosse campus. Satellite locations in Iowa or Wisconsin will be announced separately. Off-campus site directors will have local authority, though they should consult with the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Institutional Effectiveness or the Executive Director of University Relations prior to announcing to coordinate communications regarding any proposed class cancellation or site closure. The responsible party is required to provide appropriate notification to participants.

On remote learning days:

  • Fine arts rehearsals and sport practices will also be cancelled.
  • Those enrolled in student teaching should follow their cooperating school's schedule.
  • Students in internships should use their judgement as to whether to report to the internship site.  It is the intern’s responsibility to communicate with the internship site.
  • Students enrolled in clinical placements will follow the university guidance and the explanation below.*
  • Special events (i.e., fine arts performance, lecture, athletic contest) will be cancelled without special authorization.

When campus is closed:

  • All university activities ( i.e. Rehearsals, events, practice and performances) will be cancelled.
  • Students in internships should use their judgement as to whether to report to the internship site.  It is the intern’s responsibility to communicate with the internship site.
  • Students enrolled in clinical placements will follow the university guidance and the explanation below.
  • Essential support services will remain open
    • Essential support services and corresponding decision maker on staffing level:
      • Dining room/food service, director of dining services
      • Mathy Center, director of recreation
      • Residence life, assistant dean of student community
      • Campus security, director of campus safety and security
      • Physical plant/maintenance, director of physical plant
    • Hours in these areas and others may be diminished or adjusted in some cases with the permission of the appropriate vice president. Hours will be posted when they are changed from normal. Employees should consult the Employee Handbook in determining whether to report to work.

*Process for Clinical Placement during the Inclement Weather Plan

Because the clinical experience and travel to the sites may begin prior to other university functions, deans, in consultation with faculty leading the clinical experience, will make the determination by 10 pm the evening prior to the experience, based on the weather predictions. This means it is possible that clinical experiences may be cancelled while university classes continue to occur Deans will communicate cancellation decisions to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Institutional Effectiveness and the Executive Director of University Relations.

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