School Closing Procedures

     Youngstown State University is open year around except for designated 
holidays. There are circumstances that are beyond the control of the 
University and may require a decision to cancel classes. The essential 
question to be answered in making the decision is whether or not the 
primary instructional functions of the University can be maintained.

    Classes may be cancelled when severe weather creates difficulty in 
maintaining clear access to the University and its parking areas and 
buildings. Although classes would not be in session, the University would 
remain open and employees would be expected to report to work. In the 
event individual judgment is exercised not to report to campus, affected 
employees, who communicate this action to their supervisors, shall have 
access to accumulated vacation time, available personal days, or accrued 
compensatory time and/or emergency leave as provided in applicable 
policies and collective bargaining agreements (All YSU-APAS bargaining 
unit members have use of one paid emergency leave day within one contract 
year, per Article 7.16 of the current contract). The severity of the 
weather conditions may also necessitate the cancellation of scheduled 
events such as national testing sessions, athletic events, and fine and 
performing arts programs.

    The authority to cancel classes rests first with the President, and 
then with the Provost, the Vice President for Administration, the Vice 
President for Student Affairs, and the Executive Director of Facilities.

Communications

1. WYSU-FM 88.5 (Ashtabula 90.1, New Wilmington 97.5) radio is the 
official source regarding information about the cancellation of classes 
and University operations. Employees should tune in WYSU-FM on the hour 
and half-hour for University information.

Among the official statements may be:
              
* "YSU is closed. Only emergency personnel should report to work."
* "YSU classes are cancelled; however, the University is open. 
   Employees should report to work."
* "YSU is closed this morning. Classes will resume at noon. 
   Faculty and staff should report to work at noon. 
   Stay tuned for further details."
* "YSU classes are cancelled after 5:00 p.m. Emergency personnel 
       should report to work."
       
2. All area media will be contacted with the same statement 
regarding the cancellation of classes.

3. Each office and department should have a telephone tree in place 
in the event that calls are appropriate. However, often it will not be 
necesarry to utilize the department telephone tree. WYSU-FM (88.5) radio 
is your official source of information; you may also call the campus 
emergancy information number at 330-941-2222 or visit the University 
homepage at www.ysu.edu.

CONTINGENCY CLOSING PROCEDURE

    Youngstown State University is open year around except for designated 
holidays. There are circumstances that are beyond the control of the 
University and may require a decision to cancel classes. The essential 
question to be answered in making the decision is whether or not primary 
institutional operations can be maintained.
    
CLOSING LEVELS

    Localized Closing/Evacuation. During a localized closing/evacuation, a 
single building will be temporarily evacuated or closed (and employees in 
such buildings, depending upon the circumstances, may or may not be sent 
home). Examples would include a gas leak, bomb report, fire within or near 
a building.

    The need for some localized closings/evacuation would be obvious and 
would not require senior-level administrators to declare the 
closing/evacuation. (Maag Library may often be the only building open on 
campus during the weekends, and a separate procedure has been developed to 
enable the person in charge to declare a localized closing/evacuation for 
that building.) However, decisions to release employees from work 
following an evacuation will follow the normal administrative chain 
outlined below.

    University Closing. During a University closing, University employees 
should not report to work, except for essential emergency personnel such 
as snow removal crews, as well as other personnel involved in operations 
that must continue (e.g. Campus Police, WYSU-FM, and some Facilities 
employees). Premium pay for employees who are required to work during 
closing, if applicable, will be in accordance with the appropriate 
bargaining agreement.

    All buildings, except residence halls and the dining facilities that 
support those halls, would be closed.

    The authority to declare a localized closing rests first with the 
President, and then with the Provost, the Vice President for 
Administration, Vice President for Student Affairs, and the Executive 
Director of Facilities.
    
COMMUNICATIONS

1. WYSU-FM 88.5 (Ashtabula 90.1, New Wilmington 97.5) radio is the 
only official source regarding information about the cancellation of 
classes and University operations. Employees should tune in to WYSU-FM on 
the hour and half-hour for University information. Among the official 
statements may be:

* "YSU is closed. Only emergency personnel should report to work."
* "YSU classes are cancelled; however, the University is open. 
   Employees should report to work."
* "YSU is closed this morning. Classes will resume at noon. 
   Faculty and staff should report to work at noon. 
   Stay tuned for further details."
* "YSU classes are cancelled after 5:00 p.m. Emergency personnel 
       should report to work."

2. All area media, whenever possible, will be contacted with the same 
statement regarding the cancellation of classes.

3. Each office and department should have a telephone tree in place in 
the event that calls are appropriate. However, often it will not be 
necessary to utilize the department telephone tree. WYSU-FM (88.5) radio 
should be your official source of information; you may also call the 
campus emergency information number at 330-941-2222 or visit the 
University hompage at www.ysu.edu. 


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Youngstown State University 
One University Plaza, Youngstown, Ohio, 44555
330-941-3000 (General Information)
1-877-468-6978 or 330-941-2000 (Admissions Only)