The snow is falling and the temperature is dropping, signaling it's time for staff and managers to review their unit's inclement weather staffing plan, discuss specific concerns and review where to get information about weather-related delays and closings.

Planning for inclement weather and other emergencies should be an ongoing process. "Supervisors and employees should discuss how work will be conducted if Cornell suspends operations or if openings are delayed," said Mary George Opperman, vice president for human resources. "Staff should relate concerns about travel or family issues so that advance planning can be implemented."

Opperman also recommends that staff members develop a strategy for dealing with all types of emergencies. "Everyone should have a personal emergency plan for themselves and their families," she said. For help in putting one together, see http://www.epr.cornell.edu/personal_plan/.

Managers in an area where staff must report to or remain at work even when the university is closed must ensure that each person understands the requirements of their position and has the opportunity to discuss any concerns prior to a severe weather event.

According to Kyu Whang, vice president for facilities services, several factors go into the decision whether to close the university or delay its opening. "Weather forecasts, timing, road closures in Tompkins County and decisions by local transit providers are all taken into account," Whang says. "Safety is the top priority during weather emergencies."

Cornell's inclement weather policy states that the campus will close whenever Tompkins County roads are closed. Cornell will remain open when road advisories are issued. A complete copy of Policy 8.2 can be found online.

Employees should use their best judgment on whether to travel to campus if conditions in their area are dangerous despite roads being open. Employees who do not report because of weather when the university is open are released from the advance notice requirement to use vacation or personal-accrued times. Time off will be charged to accrued time off as selected by the employee, unless arrangements are made in advance to work at home or make up the time later in that pay period.

The administration will communicate Whang's decisions via local news media, http://www.info.cornell.edu/CUHomePage/Status.html and http://cuinfo.cornell.edu/SpecialConditions,
e-mails, e-mail lists and the Inclement Weather Phone, 607-255-3377.

"Working together, we will be able to handle what the winter months bring us," Whang said.

Help for those with mobility impairments during foul weather

Cornell offers help to faculty and staff with short- or long-term mobility impairments who may have difficulty getting to or around their work site because of inclement weather. A questionnaire, along with more information for individuals with disabilities and links to websites and e-mail lists with closing and cancellation information, is posted at http://www.cornell.edu/disability/weather.cfm. For a printed copy of the questionnaire, contact the Office of Workforce Policy and Labor Relations at 607-254-7232 or equalopportunity@cornell.edu.

Tips for safe driving in stormy weather

Transportation and Mail Services offers the following tips for snowstorm commuting.

Transportation and Mail Services has posted its winter newsletter at http://www.commuting.cornell.edu. As the season progresses, folks can find the winter parking newsletter at http://cuinfo.cornell.edu.