Decision Making
Depending on the reason for the cancellation or closing, emergency services or other outside entities (fire departments, law enforcement agencies, energy providers, system office, etc.) may suggest modifications to this procedure.
Generally, when an event prompts consideration of cancelling or closing, the Director of Public Safety (or designee or other appropriate employee) will initiate the decision-making process by conducting research and gathering data. This may include, but is not limited to:
- checking the SCSU Event Management System (EMS) or contacting appropriate event coordinators to determine activities that could be affected by a closure,
- consulting with experts such as the SCSU Meteorology faculty or staff trained in emergency preparedness,
- making calls to the city of St. Cloud or other external entities, or
- consulting with Facilities supervisors about the number of staff on hand.
The information gathered during this process will be communicated to the Vice President for Finance and Administration, the Provost, and the President. The President may contact others for further consultation. Employees or outside entities contacted by the President will vary depending on the reason for the cancellation or closure. Decisions are made after joint consultation about risks, safety, and the particular conditions of each unique situation. The President (or designee) is the final decision-maker.
University Communications will be notified if a closing or cancellation message needs to be broadcast. Facilities Management will work with facilities staff on essential and/or specific duties related to the closing or cancellation. Other departments or vendors, such as public safety, residential life or food services may be involved as needed, particularly for extended closures.
Weather Specific Closing or Cancellation
Inclement weather creates specific risks that need to be examined to insure the personal safety and well-being of our campus faculty, staff, and students. Thus, in addition to the standard closing or cancellation procedures, decisions to cancel/delay classes and events and/or close offices due to weather may include, as time and circumstances dictate, consultation with the Minnesota State Patrol, Minnesota Department of Transportation (and/or MnDOT website), Stearns County Emergency Preparedness, the Weather Service, Minnesota State, a St. Cloud State University meteorologist, Metro Bus, the St. Cloud Community and Technical College’s Vice President for Administration, the City of St. Cloud Public Works Department (snow removal), and others as appropriate.
Weather Specific Closing or Cancellation-Plymouth
Decisions regarding weather-related closing, cancellation or delay of St. Cloud State at Plymouth will follow the same investigative and consultative approach using data relevant to the Plymouth location. The president (or designee) is the final decision maker.
Notifications
St. Cloud State makes every effort to announce any cancellations/closings by 5 a.m. (6 a.m. for St. Cloud State at Plymouth) regarding day classes and events and before 3 p.m. for evening classes and events. Closings for St. Cloud State satellite locations at other institutions follow hosting campus’s decisions regarding closings, cancellations and delays.
In addition to campus-wide Star Alerts and e-mail, notifications will also be posted on the university website (www.stcloudstate.edu), the St. Cloud State University Facebook page (facebook.com/stcloudstate), and on Twitter (twitter.com/stcloudstate). St. Cloud State and St. Cloud State at Plymouth cancellations/closings are also announced on the following radio stations, television stations, and newspaper website. Other media outlets may be utilized as appropriate.
Radio:
- KVSC 88.1FM (Campus radio station)
- WJON 1240AM/WWJO 98.1FM (St. Cloud)
- 7FM/KNSI1450AM/KZPK98.9FM (St. Cloud)
- WCCO 830 AM (Twin Cities)
Television: WCCO Ch. 4
Newspaper website: sctimes.com
Messaging
The following message types will be used to announce closing and cancellation decisions.
- Delay
- Classes Canceled
- Classes Canceled, Offices Closed Early
- University Closed
University Communications will provide specified times and other details related to events, delays, and/or office openings and closings in the communicated notifications.