Delays, Closings and Time Reporting
The following information addresses general policy and priorities used in guiding decisions for delays, cancellations or closings and how such are communicated. In addition, a list of frequently asked questions (FAQ) follows that address how time is reported in the event of a university closure due to weather or any other emergency.
While the safety of our people is our priority, in general, the university does not close or cancel classes because of cold weather, winter ice and/or snow. However, on rare occasions, weather conditions may delay or cancel classes, or close campus. (Note: Kent State’s campuses will all follow the general guidelines below, but each campus makes its own decision based on weather conditions).
When inclement weather threatens or extreme cold prevails, we expect to announce our actions by 5:30 a.m. for morning and all-day cancellations, 10 a.m. for afternoon classes and 3 p.m. for evening classes. In general, our decision will be guided by the condition of major roadways, campus roadways and sidewalks, and by our ability to plow our parking lots. For extreme cold, we typically will delay or cancel when the wind chill reaches (or is predicted to reach) -20 degrees Fahrenheit for an extended period
For more details, visit the Kent State Advisory page.
Key Points to Keep in Mind
- In the event that there is inclement weather but Kent campus is not closed, employees should always use sound personal judgments regarding the safety of their travel when deciding whether or not to report to work. Employees should notify their supervisors if they are unable to report to work or feel it necessary to leave early. Any absence must be recorded in the form of leave (vacation, personal, or comp time). University leave policy governs the reporting and recording of work absences.
- When there is a delayed opening of the Kent Campus, employees shall report to work when the delay has been lifted, with the exception of those staff members who are deemed essential and must report. If you are not sure of your status, please check with your supervisor.
- When classes are canceled, university services and offices remain open. This means that staff members are expected to report to work as usual, or remain at work if the cancelation occurs during the day. If there is an exception to this, it will be communicated with the cancelation announcement.
- Only when the university is “closed” due to weather are offices closed and some services not available. Even in that situation, essential staff members must report to work so that operations needing 24-hour attention are maintained. Nonessential staff are not required to report to campus or work remotely during a campus closure, regardless of telecommuting arrangement. However, staff must check with their supervisors to determine their team’s work plan, as some operations, deadlines and urgent items may require that nonessential staff still work during a closure. These instances are to be handled on a case-by-case basis between supervisor and employee.
Communications
There are three ways to learn about any delays, class cancellations or campus closings:
- Flash ALERTS, which anyone who has provided us with a domestic cellphone number will receive. Find out how to set your campus preferences.
- An email to your @kent.edu email account.
- Kent State website. A red bar containing an announcement will appear on the top of the homepage if there is a cancellation or closing.
- Television and radio broadcasts.
Closing Order from the Governor’s Office
At times there has been confusion when the Governor’s Office issues a closing order, or when the local sheriff’s departments have posted snow emergency advisories. A closing order from the Governor’s Office is issued primarily for state office buildings and other state employees in the field. Colleges and universities do not fall into this category. Sheriffs’ departments issue snow emergency levels ranging from one to three. These orders do not apply to employees required to provide essential functions at their workplace.