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Tennessee Technological University offices will remain open during periods of inclement weather even though classes may be cancelled.
28.1.1 In accordance with TBR policy, faculty, administrators and staff of TTU are expected to make every reasonable effort to be at their work assignment on time, taking into consideration the personal risk involved. Administrators or staff employees who anticipate arriving late, or not arriving at work at all, should notify their immediate supervisor of this fact as soon as possible and request annual leave for the period of absence. If faculty members must be absent from assigned classes due to inclement weather, it is their responsibility to notify the appropriate chairperson and/or dean.
28.1.2 The decision to cancel off-campus classes will be made by the Vice President for Academic Affairs in close consultation with the Dean of Graduate Studies and Extended Education and the coordinators of the off-campus centers. The information will then be disseminated as quickly as possible by whatever means are available in the vicinity of the affected center.
28.1.3 At times it may be necessary for the President to declare specific hours as emergency closing as the result of inclement weather or other emergency situations. In such cases, regular full-time and part-time employees on the active payroll who are scheduled to work during the declared times of closing will be granted time off from work with pay. Employees who are not scheduled to work will not be paid for the emergency closing. Clerical and support personnel required to work to keep essential services functioning will receive extra compensation. Administrative personnel required to work will receive equal time off for hours worked.
28.1.4 If classes are canceled due to inclement weather, missed classes should be made up in a manner chosen by the individual faculty member involved. If classes are not cancelled despite inclement weather, students are responsible for any academic work they miss as a result of inclement weather. It is the individual student's responsibility to take the initiative in making up any missed work, and it is the faculty member's responsibility to provide the student with a reasonable opportunity to make up missed work.
28.2 Procedures for Canceling Classes
In those instances when weather conditions require a decision by the President of the University to authorize canceling classes, delaying the start of classes or suspending selected activities, the following procedures will be in effect:
28.2.1 The Director of Facilities and Business Services and Director of Custodial and Grounds will monitor official weather reports, contact appropriate state, county and local Public Safety Officials and check local roads for hazardous driving conditions. They will review campus roads, walkways and parking lot conditions. The Director of Facilities and Business Services will advise the Vice President for Business and Fiscal Affairs of the findings. After receiving this information, the Vice President for Business and Fiscal Affairs will inform the Vice President for Academic Affairs, who will consult with the other vice presidents and recommend to the President whether the University should cancel classes or declare an emergency closing. If the Vice President for Business and Fiscal Affairs is unavailable, the Director of Facilities and Business Services and Director of Custodial and Grounds will contact the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
28.2.2 The decision to cancel some or all classes should be made and announced as soon as possible to accommodate faculty and students who commute to the main campus or the off-campus centers. When circumstances require canceling classes beginning with the first period class, this recommendation should be submitted to the President as early as possible, but not later than 5:00 a.m. If the decision is made during evening hours, the recommendation should be made to the President before 8:30 p.m. if possible. In all other cases, the recommendations will be submitted as soon as possible.
28.2.3 Once the decision is made to cancel classes or close offices and facilities or buildings on campus (or at extended education sites), the President or the Vice President for Academic Affairs will notify the Director of Public Affairs (or a representative of that office) as soon as possible. The Public Affairs staff member will prepare an official statement and notify the following in the order listed:
28.2.3.1 Office of TTU Police
28.2.3.2 University switchboard, information center and voice mail newsline. (A message will also be broadcast to all voice mailboxes on campus.)
28.2.3.3 University radio station (WTTU)
28.2.3.4 Cookeville-area radio and TV stations
28.2.3.5 Metro Nashville network TV stations and select radio stations
28.2.3.6 Metro Knoxville network TV stations and select radio stations
28.2.3.7 University computer center (to post the announcement on the VAX)
28.2.3.8 University vice presidents
Each Vice President will be responsible for notifying the appropriate personnel in the division.
28.2.4 If possible, the statement should be prepared on Public Affairs office letterhead and faxed to each media outlet. The statement should identify the university as TTU or Tennessee Technological University--with an emphasis on "university"--to avoid possible confusion with the technology centers located across the state. If notification is required any time other than regular office hours, the Director of Public Affairs may telephone the media and report the cancellations.
Many media outlets require private passwords or codes for clement weather notifications. These codes shall be kept confidential and maintained annually by the Director of Public Affairs. Access to a listing of the codes will be limited to designated Public Affairs staff members and the Executive Director for University Advancement.