SNOW Line:  (413) 542-SNOW

INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY

Purpose 

To create a procedure, define authority and decision making, and to establish messaging guidelines for the delay of the College’s functions, the closing of the College’s functions, and the resumption of the College’s functions. 

Procedure 

  1. During an inclement weather situation, the senior police officer will: 
    • Actively patrol the roads on and around campus to gauge the condition of the roads.          
    • Monitor the radio traffic of the surrounding public safety agencies to determine the frequency and severity of traffic accidents. 
    • Consult with the Grounds Supervisor or his designee. 
  2. If weather conditions warrant, at 5 AM the most senior police officer will contact the Executive Director of Community Safety and Chief of Police (or the Chief of Campus Operations) and advise them of the conditions of the roads. The Chief of Campus Operations and Executive Director of Community Safety and Chief of Police will consult about a recommendation to be discussed with the Chief Policy Officer and General Counsel. 
  3. The Chief of Campus Operations will then contact and consult with the Chief Policy Officer and General Counsel to determine if: 
    • The College should be delayed to a later opening time. 
    • The College should be closed for the day. 

NOTE: Under all circumstances when the College is closed, or has a delayed opening, due to severe weather classes will not be held.  Evening classes and events will not be held unless the College has been re‐opened (see “Re‐Opening” below). 

  1. Once a decision has been made, the Chief of Campus Operations will then contact the Executive Director of Community Safety and Chief of Police with the decision. The Executive Director of Community Safety and Chief of Police will notify the most senior police officer.
  2. The police officer and on‐duty dispatcher will then:
    • Update the Snow Line (see attached instructions)
      • The messages will be consistent and scripted: 
    • Update the automated snow announcements for local media (see attached instructions)         
      • Western Mass News (ABC ‐40, CBS ‐3, FOX – 6) 
      • WWLP TV 22
      • Radio Stations (FM 93.1, AM 560, FM 100.9) 
  3. The Executive Director of Community Safety and Chief of Police or (in cases where the Chief cannot) the most senior police officer will send an email message to “all‐users” on the College’s email system alerting the community to the status of College functions. 

Staggered Departures, early releases

  1. During a staggered departure or an early release, the Amherst College Police Department  shall notify all employees of the status of the College via a campus‐wide email and  telephone blast. 

Re‐Opening of the College 

  1. The Executive Director of Community Safety and Chief of Police and/or the most senior police officer will: 
    • Actively monitor the roads on and around campus to gauge the condition of the roads.
    • Monitor the radio traffic of the surrounding public safety agencies to determine the frequency and severity of traffic accidents.
    • Consult with the Grounds Supervisor or his designee. 
  2. The Executive Director of Community Safety and Chief of Police will advise the Chief of Campus Operations of information collected throughout the day. 
  3. The Chief of Campus Operations and Executive Director of Community Safety and Chief of Police will consult on a recommendation to be discussed with the Chief Policy Officer and General Counsel. 
  4. The Chief of Campus Operations will then contact and consult with the Chief Policy Officer and General Counsel to determine if: 
    • The College should remain closed until the next business day. 
    • The College should resume after 6 PM of the affected day. 
  5. The Executive Director of Community Safety and Chief of Police or (in cases where the chief cannot) the most senior police officer will send an email message to “all‐users” on the College’s email system alerting the community to the status of College functions. 
  6. Upon return to normal business, the Amherst College Police will ensure that the Snow Line message is returned to: 
    • Amherst College is open as usual. There are no closings or cancellations.