Crookston Campus

Responsibilities

The responsibility for the decision to close, reduce operation, and or cancel classes on the Crookston Campus of the University of Minnesota rests with the Chancellor or designee. In the Chancellor's absence:

• Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Student Affairs
• Designated Academic Department Head

Typical Campus Emergency Closing/Class Cancellation Times

1. Closing for the day

   The decision and announcements will be made as early as possible, given the information gathered, prior to the start of class for the day. The announcement will include the Children's Center. The typical duration for the closing of campus will be for the entire day, including evening classes, unless otherwise noted. Other shifts are expected to report to work unless specifically notified otherwise. Should Crookston schools be closed, not delayed, but the University remains in session, a positive announcement will be made over the radio.

2. Closing during the day

   When conditions warrant closing of the college during a regular school day, the campus switchboard operator will relay this information to all department offices. Facilities Management will notify the Children's Center and the Northwest Research and Outreach Center when a decision has been made to close the campus. Two hours of lead-time will be given the Children's Center, if possible. Both the Children's Center and the Northwest Research and Outreach Center may close independent of the campus.

3. Closing for special events

   Events with UMC sponsorship and non-UMC events held on campus are subject to the official general closing. When possible, major public events (e.g., intercollegiate athletic events, concerts and lectures) will be mentioned in the closing announcement.

Official Closing Announcements

The Chancellor or designee will notify the Communications Specialist (218-281-8432) to alert the campus, community, and media as quickly as practical through the internal and external communication systems.

The following media will be utilized/notified:

WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA: Messages will be posted on the UMC website (home page and Today page) and social media (UMC’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/umcrookston) 
TELEVISION:  WDAZ (Channel 8); KVLY (Channel 11)

The U of M President's Office will be notified by the Chancellor’s Office as soon as possible after a decision to close.

Other Provisions

1. Facilities and Operations (Heating Plant 218-281-8495; Facilities and Operations 218-281-8490)

   The Heating Plant will become the Emergency Operations Center during closings. The Facilities and Operations Director, if off campus, will maintain telephone communications with the heating plant. Pending decision of the Facilities and Operations Director, two operating engineers may be on duty in the Heating Plant until the emergency subsides.

   Pending decision of Facilities and Operations Director, grounds personnel may stay on campus during emergency conditions and will periodically check with Facilities and Operations Director and the Heating Plant for messages.

2. Communications (Heating Plant 218-281-8495; Facilities and Operations 218-281-8490)

   Emergency messages should be left with the Heating Plant if the desired extension cannot be reached.

3. Dining Services (Dining Services 218-281-8538; 2nd floor kitchen 218-281-8539; Brown Dining Room 218-281-8538)

   The Dining Services Director will review and update plans on an annual basis that provides for the food needs for the students and staff who remain on campus.

4. Student Health Services (218-281-8512; Emergency Pager (8:30 am-4:30 pm) 800-930-9540)

   The Student Health Service will review and update the emergency health plans for the campus on an annual basis. In the event there is a need for medical consultation and the nurse is not on campus the Emergency Room (281-9450) at Riverview Hospital should be contacted. In the event of a medical emergency on campus call 9-911.

5. Residential Life (Office: 218-281-8531; CA On Duty Cell Phone: 218-280-0571)

   The Director of Residential Life will review and update their emergency plans with staff on an annual basis. During emergencies, the Director of Residential Life or a designee should remain on campus.

6. Public Safety (Office: 218-281-8815; Cell Phone: 218-280-4240)

   The Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs will review and update emergency plans with staff on an annual basis. During emergencies, the Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs or designee should remain on campus.

7. Agriculture and Natural Resources Department (218-281-8101)

   The Department Head will review and update the emergency plan for the feeding and watering of animals housed in the horse stables and the beef/sheep units with the agriculture staff on an annual basis. Provisions should also be made for emergencies that might arise in the greenhouses.

8. Children’s Center (218-281-8285)

   The Children's Center Director will review and update the emergency plan with Children's Center staff on an annual basis. In extreme conditions, provisions are available for care of the children until the conditions subside.

General Explanation Regarding the Basis for Decisions to Close UMC for Weather-Related Causes

The primary premise for weather-related closings of the University of Minnesota Crookston is that the institution will remain open unless there is unreasonable risk or danger to a substantial number of students and/or employees due to extremely hazardous driving conditions within close proximity to the campus.

Closing the institution generally involves considerable additional expense and cost, as well as the loss of productivity and class time. Therefore, the decision to close the campus is given very careful consideration.

Highways 2 and 75 are the primary roads leading to the campus and are the roads most frequently closed due to weather related causes. The road closure sign in Crookston for west/northbound traffic is located near the Crookston Inn. At East Grand Forks the road closure sign for eastbound traffic is located near 429th Ave. SW on the highway 2 and 220 junction. Failure to obey these "road closure" signs can result in a substantial fine as well as injury or death. Area radio and TV stations provide timely information on road conditions and on road closures and should be considered a primary source of information for students, faculty, and staff.

If that portion of Highway 2 and 75 immediately in front (west) of the UMC campus is closed, the campus will be closed, and only designated critical employees are to report to work or remain at work, unless specifically informed by their supervisors not to report.

The campus will generally not close for weather related conditions if Highway 2 and 75 is open to traffic (i.e., not officially closed by law enforcement agencies or the Minnesota Department of Transportation).

The following are some additional explanations and interpretations that will be considered regarding the closing of the campus if Highway 2 and 75 remains open for traffic.

• Unreasonable risk or danger is the touchstone in the decision to close the University. It can be argued with considerable justification that there is real risk and danger whenever anyone ventures forth on the streets and highways of Minnesota during the winter. It is not uncommon that ice and slippery spots persist all winter on some streets and roads and that these are dangerous. Snowfalls that we consider moderate and present no more than normal risk or danger would close down whole cities or areas in other sections of the country. Being better equipped and more experienced, we routinely handle rather extreme weather and driving conditions. The point is, we all face some risk and danger in driving to and from work on winter streets and roads in Minnesota. The decision to close the institution focuses on whether or not the weather has created a condition where there is unreasonable risk and danger.
• Extremely hazardous driving conditions are the primary basis for determining that there is unreasonable risk and danger. It could be concluded that with a two-inch snowfall compacted on the streets, hazardous driving would exist by definition. Few of us, living in this climate and area, would consider these conditions serious enough to prevent our driving on the streets or getting to or from work.
• A number of steps are followed to determine whether or not unreasonably hazardous driving conditions do, in fact, exist. Weather conditions and forecasts are checked with the weather bureau. Driving conditions are checked with the State Highway Department and law enforcement agencies.
• Travel advisories are noted but are generally of little help in reaching a conclusion on closing. The Weather Bureau and the Department of Transportation issue storm warnings and travel advisories for large areas that often have little relevance to local weather and/or travel conditions.
• The number of students and employees affected by the inclement weather is a major consideration in reaching a decision to close the campus.  While most students and employees live within a few miles of the campus, some employees and students commute thirty miles and more to campus.  At some distance from the campus it is possible driving conditions may be judged to be extremely hazardous, involving unreasonable risk and danger, and not considered so within a mile or two of the campus. The decision to close is largely based on the travel conditions in fairly close proximity to the campus.