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Severe Weather Protocol

Idaho State University strives at all times to keep University spaces open for the furtherance of our educational mission. The University will cancel classes and/or close facilities in extreme situations to ensure the safety of students, faculty, staff, and campus community members, or when the closure is necessitated by other extenuating circumstances. Decisions to delay or cancel classes and/or close University facilities will be made when absolutely necessary by campus leadership. Due to the public mission of the University, certain functions must always be operational and carried forth by “Mission Essential” faculty and staff. 

Closure, cancellation, and delay decisions will be based upon the following: 

  • The severity and timing (arrival) of the weather event as issued by the National Weather Service. 
  • Latest information obtained from local law enforcement, street departments, and emergency management agencies pertaining to road conditions (low visibility, icy roads, blowing snow, snow pack, etc). 
  • ISU's ability to clear parking lots, walkways, and stairways before the start of normal campus operations.
  • Scheduled major events, and contractor and tenant operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Winter Safety TIps

Severe Weather Protocol

Idaho State University strives at all times to keep University spaces open for the furtherance of our educational mission. The University will cancel classes and/or close facilities in extreme situations to ensure the safety of students, faculty, staff, and campus community members, or when the closure is necessitated by other extenuating circumstances. Decisions to delay or cancel classes and/or close University facilities will be made when absolutely necessary by campus leadership. Due to the public mission of the University, certain functions must always be operational and carried forth by “Mission Essential” faculty and staff. 

Closure, cancellation, and delay decisions will be based upon the following: 

  • The severity and timing (arrival) of the weather event as issued by the National Weather Service. 
  • Latest information obtained from local law enforcement, street departments, and emergency management agencies pertaining to road conditions (low visibility, icy roads, blowing snow, snow pack, etc). 
  • ISU's ability to clear parking lots, walkways, and stairways before the start of normal campus operations.
  • Scheduled major events, and contractor and tenant operations.

The University may determine to close a singular campus for a weather emergency, or close all campuses when weather emergencies on the main campus in Pocatello has a widespread impact to operations on its satellite campuses. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Winter Safety TIps

Severe Weather Protocol

Idaho State University strives at all times to keep University spaces open for the furtherance of our educational mission. The University will cancel classes and/or close facilities in extreme situations to ensure the safety of students, faculty, staff, and campus community members, or when the closure is necessitated by other extenuating circumstances. Decisions to delay or cancel classes and/or close University facilities will be made when absolutely necessary by campus leadership. Due to the public mission of the University, certain functions must always be operational and carried forth by “Mission Essential” faculty and staff. 

Closure, cancellation, and delay decisions will be based upon the following: 

  • The severity and timing (arrival) of the weather event as issued by the National Weather Service. 
  • Latest information obtained from local law enforcement, street departments, and emergency management agencies pertaining to road conditions (low visibility, icy roads, blowing snow, snow pack, etc). 
  • ISU's ability to clear parking lots, walkways, and stairways before the start of normal campus operations.
  • Scheduled major events, and contractor and tenant operations.

The University may determine to close a singular campus for a weather emergency, or close all campuses when weather emergencies on the main campus in Pocatello has a widespread impact to operations on its satellite campuses. The decision for closure by the Ada School District for weather, while part of the decision-making process, does not necessarily indicate a closure of ISU. Faculty, staff, and students should adhere to the messaging from ISU alerts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Winter Safety TIps

Severe Weather Protocol

Idaho State University strives at all times to keep University spaces open for the furtherance of our educational mission. The University will cancel classes and/or close facilities in extreme situations to ensure the safety of students, faculty, staff, and campus community members, or when the closure is necessitated by other extenuating circumstances. 

The University may determine to close a singular campus for a weather emergency, or close all campuses when weather emergencies on the main campus in Pocatello has a widespread impact to operations on its satellite campuses. Generally, classes will be canceled when the College of Southern Idaho (CSI) delays opening or closes due to severe weather.

Frequently Asked Questions

Winter Safety TIps

General Guidelines

  • Mission Essential employees are individuals who will be required to remain on campus or respond to campus, if safe to do, during a critical incident, delayed opening, or partial closure. Such individuals are critical to the basic operation of the campus. Such operations may include, but are not limited to, Public Safety, Housing, ITS, Facilities Services, Student Services, and contract food service. If you are unsure of your status as a Mission Essential employee, please contact your supervisor immediately.
  • Idaho State will generally be more conservative than local school districts with its decision to cancel classes.
  • Information will be sent to the campus community via text message and email through the ISU Alerts System.
  • Updated alert information is also available by calling (208) 282-3936.

ISU Alerts - Emergency Alert Information

All students, faculty and staff are encouraged to update their personal contact information with ISU Alerts, the emergency notification system at Idaho State University. The email, phone, and text-based system allows the University to notify students, faculty and staff when an emergency is taking place on or near any of our campus locations. The system will only be used in critical situations, including weather emergencies, with potential to impact health or safety. 

PUBLIC SAFETY              pubsafe@isu.edu              (208) 282-2515              625 E Humbolt St Pocatello, ID, 83209              @isupublicsafety     @isupublicsafety     @ISUPublicSafety     @isupublicsafety71