Listen To WPSU For The Official Word On Winter Weather
November 15, 2000
University Park, Pa. -- Predictions of winter weather vary widely this year, but there is no reason to be confused when it finally comes. WPSU-FM, Penn State’s Public Radio Station, will have the official word.

"Severe winter weather could mean class and office delays or cancellations. Now that WPSU is well-established as our winter weather message center, we can make one call to WPSU and know that we are getting the message out to nearly all employees and students at one time," says Thomas Harmon, director of University Police.

WPSU-FM -- 91.5 in State College, Bellefonte, Lock Haven and surrounding areas; and 90.1 in the northern counties . WPSU is on the Web at http://www.wpsu.psu.edu and is a good alternative for those who live outside the WPSU listening area. The official weather word will also be available on the emergency number at (814) 865-4000. For a complete list of WPSU station frequencies, go to http://www.wpsu.psu.edu/about.html..

Subscribers to AT&T Cable Television in State College and Bellefonte can also hear WPSU radio on C-Net, channel 7, between regularly scheduled programs.

But even when class and office delays or cancellations are announced, Penn State's University Park campus never really closes -- students and hotel guests still need to be fed; research projects and essential services need to continue; and farm animals need care. In addition, University Police and both the Nittany Lion Inn and The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel are always open.

Last year was a fairly mild winter and the University Park campus only cancelled classes twice.

"Some of the factors in the University's decision to delay or cancel activities differ from those considered by area public schools," Harmon says. "While we both are concerned about road conditions for buses and commuting employees, the school districts also need to be concerned about the health and safety of children getting to and waiting for school buses. Most Penn State students at University Park live on or close to campus, but in addition to road conditions, we need to be concerned about the availability and condition of our parking lots."

As soon as the decision is made to change class and office schedules, that information goes to WPSU station Manager Roy Gerritsen or Assistant Manager Steve Shipman for immediate broadcasting. If necessary, WPSU, which is on the air 24 hours a day, will begin live broadcasting earlier than its usual start time of 5 a.m. and will interrupt regularly scheduled programming to give periodic updates throughout the day or night.

Employees in essential services and operations are expected to report for work in most circumstances, and should contact their supervisor soon -- before winter weather strikes -- with any questions they may have about their status.

Employees can also review "Handling Weather Day Absences," Human Resources Guideline 10, on the Web at http://www.ohr.psu.edu/policy/hrg10.cfm. It spells out how time missed is handled.

Contact: Christy Rambeau 814-865-7517 or