Turn to WPSU for Penn State operating status

University Park, Pa. -- Several weather services are forecasting a significant snowfall Thursday night into Friday, prompting a reminder that WPSU-FM and Penn State Live, the University's news and information Web site, remain the official sources for weather-related delay or cancellation advisories at Penn State's University Park campus.

"WPSU is the first call made when inclement weather forces any University delays or cancellations," said Steve Shelow, director of University Police. "WPSU is the authoritative source for Penn State's operating status, and can be accessed via a battery-radio throughout the region even when severe weather results in power outages."

Operating status at Penn State Altoona and Penn State DuBois also will be aired on WPSU, which broadcasts in those regions. All other campus locations should identify their preferred method of communication before inclement weather strikes.

WPSU, which airs 24-hour programming, can be 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 at http://wpsu.org/ online; a complete list of station frequencies can be found at http://wpsu.org/about/coverage.html on the Web. Closings are listed at http://wpsu.org/closings.htm online.

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.

In addition to WPSU, information also will be promptly and prominently issued online at Penn State Live -- http://live.psu.edu -- assuming that power and Internet connectivity are not adversely affected by the weather.

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 other local entities, such as public schools," said Shelow. "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.

All employees are encouraged to take responsibility for their own safety.

"Faculty and staff should use their own best judgment when considering traveling to campus or the need to leave work early during times of inclement weather," 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://guru.psu.edu/policies/OHR/hrg10.html for specific information on how time missed for weather situations is handled.

Measurable snow already has fallen this season on the University Park campus. For more photos, click on the image above. Credit: Annemarie Mountz / Penn StateCreative Commons

Last Updated November 18, 2010

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