Penn State Live also to post information on delays and cancellations
University Park, Pa. -- With inclement weather always a threat during the dynamic winter season, faculty, staff and students are reminded that WPSU-FM remains the official source of weather-related delays or cancellations at Penn State�s University Park campus.
"WPSU is the first call we make in the event of a weather-related University delay or cancellation, so WPSU should be the first place employees and students turn to for the authoritative word on Penn State's operating status through this station," said Thomas Harmon, director of University Police.
Operating status at Penn State Altoona and Penn State DuBois also will be aired on WPSU, which broadcasts in those regions.
WPSU, which airs 24-hour programming, can been heard at 91.5 FM in State College, Bellefonte, Lock Haven and surrounding areas, and 90.1 FM in northern Pennsylvania counties. The station also is online at http://www.wpsu.psu.edu and a complete list of station frequencies can be found at http://www.wpsu.psu.edu/about.html on the Web.
When notified, WPSU will begin its live broadcasting earlier than the usual start time of 5 a.m., and will interrupt regularly scheduled programming to give periodic updates throughout the day or night.
Up-to-the-minute official operating status information also will be posted online at http://live.psu.edu/ as decisions are made. For those unable to access a WPSU signal or connect to the Web, the same official University Park operating information is available by calling (814) 865-4000.
The University Park campus never really closes. With more than 13,000 students living on campus and critical research projects that require constant attention, it is vital that Penn State be well-equipped to handle any weather emergency quickly and efficiently. University Police and other emergency services remain operational around the clock regardless of the weather, as do guest services at both The Nittany Lion Inn and The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel.
"Factors in the University's decision to delay or cancel activities differ from those considered by public schools," said Harmon. "Road conditions for buses and commuting students and employees is an obvious concern. But in addition to road conditions, we need to be concerned about the availability and condition of our parking lots and maintaining services that affect safety and health."
Employees in essential services and operations are expected to report for work in most circumstances, and should contact their supervisor -- before severe winter weather strikes -- with any questions they may have about their status. Now is the time for supervisors to review with employees in both essential and non-essential positions what is expected of them in the event of extreme weather conditions.
All employees are encouraged to take responsibility for their own safety.
"Faculty and staff should use their own judgment concerning traveling to campus or the need to leave work early during times of inclement weather this winter," said Gary C. Schultz, senior vice president for finance and business. "Staff may charge their absence to vacation time when weather conditions cause a concern for personal safety. As usual, supervisors should make every effort to accommodate employees who wish to leave work early because of the weather."
Faculty and staff also should review "Handling Weather Day Absences" (Human Resources Guideline 10) on the Web at http://www.ohr.psu.edu/policy/hrg10.cfm for specific information on how time missed for weather situations is handled.