As you are undoubtedly aware, current forecasts by the National Weather Service indicate that Hurricane Sandy will likely impact our area Monday into Tuesday of next week. Since this is the first major weather event of the academic year, I wanted to review our policies and help you prepare.  We will continue to monitor the situation and update you as circumstances warrant.

When a decision is made to close a campus, cancel classes, or delay an opening, you can expect to receive an emergency notification via the TU Alert system.  You must register your cell phone to receive a TU Alert.  Please visit www.temple.edu/tuready to register. 

The Temple University homepage (www.temple.edu) will be updated immediately following a decision to close, cancel or delay opening. The website is also the most comprehensive means of getting the latest updates, so visit it often.

Students: You should expect that classes will be held as scheduled unless you receive notification of a change.

Employees: Depending on the circumstances, closings may occur at various levels which are detailed within the Inclement Weather and Unscheduled Campus Closings policy (04.31.12), available online at http://policies.temple.edu. 

Temple University’s calendar is constructed with the expectation that instructional and business operations will be carried out as scheduled. Prior to an inclement weather event all supervisors will discuss the expectations for reporting to work and remind essential employees of their responsibilities during such an event.  Essential employees (e.g., those employed by Facilities Management, Campus Safety Services and the Medical School) are required to report for duty and to perform their duties despite the notification of a weather-related emergency.  Should an employee deem it unsafe to travel to work, the employee is expected to consult with their supervisor to report their specific circumstances.

Temple University Health System employees are not subject to this policy, but are subject to that of the Health System.  The Medical School and Practice Plan administration will issue a separate policy statement regarding this subject at a later date.

— James Creedon, Senior Vice President, Construction, Facilities and Operations