Frequently Asked Questions

ISU officials will start to monitor incoming storms as they are forecasted, begin to evaluate potential impacts 24-48 hours in advance, and continue to make adjustments with each new weather model. 

Representatives from multiple areas of campus will often meet the night before to evaluate any potential closures. Facilities Services and Public Safety will meet on current conditions, and consult National Weather Service data for future conditions. If conditions warrant a possible cancellation and/or delay, a team representing multiple sectors across campus assembles to determine the appropriate course of action.

Class cancellation and/or delay decisions are based on the following:

• The weather event's severity and timing (arrival) as issued by the National Weather Service. Other factors may include snowfall rate, wind intensity, incident duration, and temperature. 
• Latest information obtained from local law enforcement, street departments, and emergency management agencies about road conditions (low visibility, icy roads, blowing snow, snowpack, etc.).
• ISU’s ability to clear parking lots, walkways, and stairways before the start of normal campus operations and ability to maintain clearance during the weather incident.
• Scheduled major events and contractor and tenant operations.

Information about a delayed start or full-day closure is typically announced by 7 a.m. on the impacted day. ISU will typically not announce a closure or delay the night before.

For an early closure, information will be communicated as quickly as possible, with the goal of at least a two-hour advance notice, but if conditions deteriorate faster, the university may close on an accelerated timeline. In cases of early closure, employees should work with their supervisors and students should work with their faculty to coordinate leaving campus before the closure time whenever possible.

Once the determination has been made to delay or cancel classes, ISU will issue an ISU Alert using their emergency notification system. This alert will typically be sent via text with additional information to follow sent to the registered ISU email account. 

ISU uses multiple ways to communicate urgent weather information to employees, students, and the community. Depending on the circumstances some or all of the following may be used:

• Text messages – The University will send an emergency communication to all registered cell phones, commonly referred to as an ISU Alert. These messages will only contain the most critical information.
• Email – Emails allow ISU to share both critical information and additional information about the campus closure and/or class delay. All students, staff, and faculty will automatically receive email communications.
• Website – A red banner is posted on isu.edu about the weather impacts.
• Social media – ISU Alerts communication is posted to available social media platforms for ISU Public Safety and the main ISU account. 
• Pre-recorded message - Up-to-date information is available by calling (208) 282-3936

You can review and update your contact information for ISU Alerts by logging into MyISU. Once you have logged in, locate the ISU Alerts and Public Safety card and select ISU Emergency Notification System. Locate My Account from the menu option in the upper right of the screen to review your contact preferences. If the ISU Alerts and Public Safety card is not showing, please locate and select the "Discover More" link that is available when you scroll down the page past your displaced cards, search for "ISU Alerts" and add the card.  

Idaho weather can vary widely within a relatively short distance. Weather conditions may not allow for a safe drive to campus in surrounding communities, even if ISU is open.

The decision to drive to campus is always at the discretion of the driver. For students, communicate as soon as you can with your faculty that you aren’t able to attend class that day and how to make other arrangements. For employees, communicate with your supervisor to coordinate if you can temporarily work from home, call in for meetings, or use accrued vacation leave if necessary. 

Storms often cause traffic delays and increased congestion on the primary roads, especially the ones that surround campus. Traffic delays should be anticipated, and drivers should provide additional time to reach campus during winter weather conditions.

When campus is open and University offices are expected to remain open (even if classes are delayed or canceled):

• Supervisors should remain flexible and understanding if an employee needs to adjust regular work hours, arrive late, or leave work early to avoid hazardous weather conditions. Based on the needs of the unit and the duties of a position, supervisors and employees may be able to discuss temporary remote work as an option in cases of hazardous weather conditions.

• Employees should notify their supervisors immediately if a schedule change is needed due to hazardous weather conditions. Employees will need to utilize vacation leave (or leave without pay, if vacation leave is unavailable), or make up the missed time on another day(s) in the same work week.

When campus is closed and all non-mission essential employees are advised to either report to work after their regularly scheduled start time, leave their shift early or not report to work at all:

• Employees will be notified via official university communication that the campus is closed. 

• The time off will be recorded as regular hours worked (though not to be considered as time worked for overtime purposes) and counted as paid administrative leave. Employees absent due to previously-approved sick or vacation leave or who are on a shift assignment not affected by the closure are ineligible for paid administrative leave as a result of the closure (ISUPP 3070 IV.5.C.i).