UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State officials are continuing to monitor the winter weather affecting University Park and forecasts are predicting that the snow will turn to rain this afternoon and temperatures will rise, aiding with cleanup. Employees who are on campus now are advised to remain on campus through the end of their shift when travel conditions are expected to improve.
Forecasts are projecting temperatures to drop into the single digits and perhaps lower on Friday morning along with high winds and the potential for additional snow and ice. With these conditions in mind, Penn State is canceling activities and work at the University Park campus from 5 a.m. Friday, Dec. 23, to 5 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 24. Only employees who perform essential services should report to campus during this time.
On-campus activities
On-campus activities scheduled between 5 a.m. Friday, Dec. 23, and 5 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 24 are canceled. Activities beginning at or after 5 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 24, will be held as originally scheduled.
Employees
Employees who perform “essential” services: Employees who are required to report to campus for work and have been previously identified as performing duties essential to maintaining operations should report to campus as directed. Employees who are required to report to campus for work and for whom Dec. 23 is not a designated holiday are eligible for Campus Closure Compensatory Time, subject to guideline provisions. Holiday pay provisions apply to those employees for whom Dec. 23 is a holiday. Employees should clarify their status as essential or nonessential with their supervisor before inclement weather strikes.
All other employees, except for those employed at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL), should not report to work until the resumption of normal campus operations and are eligible for Campus Closure Pay or Holiday Pay as applicable per university policy. Employees should review the “official closedowns” section of the University’s Handling Weather Day Absences policy (Human Resources Guideline 10) for specific information on how time missed for weather situations is handled. ARL will continue to follow ARL internal policies for all weather-related closures.
Employees who have questions about a campus closure should contact their unit’s Human Resources consultant.
- Those scheduled to work before 5 a.m. Friday, Dec. 23, and end after 5 a.m. Friday, Dec. 23, should leave campus at 5 a.m. Friday, Dec. 23, to complete a partial day.
- Those scheduled to begin work before 5 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 24, and end after 5 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 24, should report at 5 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 24, to complete a partial day.
- Those whose work hours are scheduled to begin and end between 5 a.m. Friday, Dec. 23 and 5 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 24, should not report.
- Those scheduled to report at or after 5 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 24, should report as regularly scheduled.
Additional weather info, ongoing updates
Every Penn State campus location makes its own decisions regarding the weather, and whether or not to cancel classes, exams and activities, depending on local conditions. Details for each campus will be shared on campus websites as needed.
The decision to cancel work and other activities at University Park was determined to be in the best safety interest of the University community. University officials are continuing to monitor conditions and will provide updates as necessary. The most up-to-date information will be shared via Penn State News, Penn State's PSUAlert system, Twitter, and WPSU TV and radio.
All employees and students are encouraged to take responsibility for their own safety. Faculty, staff and students should use their own best judgment when considering traveling to campus or the need to leave early during times of inclement weather. Faculty and staff should review Handling Weather Day Absences (Human Resources Guideline 10) for specific information on how time missed for weather situations is handled and Human Resources Policy 34 for specific information regarding pay provisions on a holiday. Union-represented employees should reference their collective bargaining agreements. Information on class attendance policies is available at undergrad.psu.edu and in Faculty Senate Policy 42-27 (Class Attendance).