Travelers should put safety first when inclement weather strikes

Anyone traveling to campus today is urged to use caution, since roadways outside the campus may not yet be adequately treated. Travelers should use their own best judgment to make personal decisions regarding traveling to work or class in inclement weather. Employees may charge their absence to vacation time when weather conditions cause a concern for personal safety.

Inclement weather is likely any time now through March. When it does strike, the Penn State community should check WPSU-FM and this site, the official sources for weather-related delay or cancellation advisories at Penn State's University Park campus. In addition, advisories of cancellations or delays will be posted to Penn State Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/#!/pennstate?ref=ts, and will be sent directly to cell phones via PSUTXT. To subscribe, visit http://live.psu.edu/psutxt online.

The operating status at other Penn State campuses are also posted to Facebook, via PSU TXT.

Steve Shelow, director of University Police, reminds readers that the University Park campus never really closes. "We have nearly 14,000 students on campus that require meals and warm lodging," he said. "Plus there are critical research projects that require constant attention, as well as livestock that must be fed, watered and sheltered."

Because of this, it is critical that Penn State effectively maintain services that affect safety and health when snow blankets the area. 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.

"Everyone in our University community should use their own best judgment when considering traveling to campus or the need to leave early during times of inclement weather," said Albert G. Horvath, 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."

Faculty and staff also should review "Handling Weather Day Absences" (Human Resources Guideline 10) on the Web at http://guru.psu.edu/policies/OHR/hrg10.html for specific information on how time missed for weather situations is handled.

Last Updated February 26, 2010