In the event of snow, severe storms, or other emergencies, information about class delays or cancellations at Penn State Greater Allegheny can be obtained from the following sources:

• By phone on a pre-recorded message. Call the campus bulletin board phone at 412-675-9200 and select option one.
• PSUTXT, which provides updates via text message and/or e-mail. To receive PSUTXT messages for Greater Allegheny, visit http://newswires.psu.edu/ online and follow the instructions to subscribe.
• Radio (KDKA-1020 AM);
• Television (KDKA-TV Channel 2; WTAE-TV Channel 4; WPXI-TV Channel 11) or the Internet (http://www.kdka.com/, http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/, http://www.wpxi.com/); and
• The front page of the Penn State Greater Allegheny Web site at http://ga.psu.edu/ online.

Cancellation of day classes does not automatically mean cancellation of evening classes or vice versa.

Weather FAQ

Q. Why doesn’t the campus delay classes on the mornings local school districts announce delays?

A. Local school districts typically start classes for all students around 7:30 a.m. We have just a few classes at 8 a.m. during the winter semester. Also, K-12 students must wait along the area roads in the bad weather to catch their buses. Area schools also have the ability to make up lost days. We are an institution of higher education whose curriculum is supported by direct tuition; hence, canceling classes eliminates the class time for which you have paid. We also have students living on campus who walk to class.

Q. If the classes are running on a normal schedule, am I required to come to class?

A. It is your decision on whether or not you are comfortable driving on the roads to campus. If you do not make it to class, it is important for you to contact your professor as soon as possible to let him or her know why you were not in attendance. Ultimately, it is up to each professor to determine how he or she will handle these types of absences, but we believe they will be reasonable and understanding.

Q. Why aren't classes canceled on some days when the news is reporting hazardous road conditions?

A. We monitor weather and traffic reports, but we also depend on firsthand reports of road conditions from our campus' maintenance and police personnel to determine whether or not they are passable.

Q. If the start of classes is delayed, how do I know which class to attend?

A. We follow the existing schedule no matter what time we start. For instance, if the start of classes is delayed until 10 a.m., you would attend your scheduled 10 a.m. class at the regular time and follow your schedule through the rest of the day. Thus, on days when classes are delayed, a two- or four-hour delay will be announced through the normal emergency announcement procedures.

• If there is a two-hour delay on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday schedule, classes will start with the class scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Normal class times will be observed for the remainder of the day.
• If there is a two-hour delay on a Tuesday or Thursday schedule, classes will begin at 10 a.m., one-third of the way through any classes with a normal star time of  9:25 a.m. Normal class times will be observed for the remainder of the day.
• Similarly, if there is a four-hour delay on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday, classes will start at noon and continue on a normal class schedule for the rest of the day.
• If there is a four-hour delay on a Tuesday or Thursday, classes will resume at noon with the common period; the next classes will take place at 1:35 p.m.

Q. Are day and evening classes treated differently?

A. They are, with decisions made on day classes by 6:30 a.m. and for evening classes (starting times of 6 p.m. or later) by 4 p.m. It is possible to have any portion of the schedule canceled.

Q. If my class if canceled, will it be made up?

A. Some instructors may attempt to set a make up session when students are available, or use other means to make up the work. The form of make-up will depend on the nature of the class.

Q. What happens if there is problem during final exam week?

A. In the event that, during final exams week, weather causes the postponement of a scheduled final exam, make up exam procedures will be arranged by instructors in consultation with Academic Affairs. Stay in close contact with your instructors should weather problems develop during finals week.

Q. Why aren’t the sidewalks always clear?

A. If the snow is occurring during the day it is sometimes impossible to keep up with clearing the sidewalks. The maintenance crew will continue to make multiple passes to keep them as clear as possible. At times, the temperatures are low enough that salt will not melt wintry precipitation, so it is important that everyone is careful when walking across campus.