Ann Arbor classes canceled Tuesday due to weather

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To: Ann Arbor Campus Faculty and Staff 
From: Martha E. Pollack, Robert A. Winfield, Laurita Thomas 
Subject: Classes canceled on Jan. 28 due to weather

Colleagues:

Ann Arbor Campus classes have been canceled on Tuesday, Jan. 28, because of extreme wind chill temperatures, expected to be as low as – 30 degrees. The cancelation includes classroom and laboratory instruction. The suspension of classes will help students avoid long campus walks and extended time waiting outdoors for bus transportation.

Campus operations will continue. However, while staff should plan to report as usual, we ask that supervisors be flexible and make reasonable accommodations for these extreme circumstances. Travel may be hazardous, especially on foot or by bus, and we ask that all of our colleagues remain sensitive to safety concerns. Parking and Transportation Services is increasing bus frequency to help minimize wait times.

Staff who are unable or choose not to travel to campus on Tuesday should contact their supervisors to use vacation time or unpaid time off.

Please also consider holding meetings by phone or video technology if they would require faculty and staff to travel or walk long distances while extraordinarily low wind chill temperatures persist.

When outdoors at home or on campus, remember to dress appropriately. Relatively short periods of exposure to these temperatures can be hazardous, and faculty, staff and students are encouraged to stay indoors as much as possible. 

Faculty members with questions should contact their department chair or dean’s office. Staff members should contact their supervisors.

A university committee has just begun to examine policies and practices regarding reduced operations related to extreme weather.

Martha E. Pollack
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Robert A. Winfield, M.D.
Chief Health Officer

Laurita Thomas
Associate Vice President for Human Resources

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Comments

  1. jacob f
    on January 28, 2014 at 5:49 am

    I’d have to agree w these posts. If the university finds it too cold for students how can they not find it too cold for us employees at umhs? Waiting for the bus is bad in ititself but in these frigid temperatures even worse! That’s the Michigan difference I suppose

    • l d
      on January 28, 2014 at 7:51 am

      The blue bus was ten minutes late yesterday!!!! If the University is going to increase bus frequency then the drivers should be competent enough to handle the routes!! This lady held up all the buses that were behind her!! Yesterday was not a good day to have to wait outside for a late bus!! and that is why staff should also be off.

  2. Sue B
    on January 28, 2014 at 7:43 am

    I walk half a mile to work (not too bad, and I know some students and staff have a mile+ walk to class). I dressed appropriately (The only exposed skin was an inch opening between my hood and scarf. Two pairs of pants, two scarves, two set of mittens… etc.) and it really was not too bad.
    I think what is upsetting, is that there are some supervisors who are more understanding (or breaking the ‘rules’), and are giving their employees paid time-off. There needs to be a policy put in place soon. I know many employees across campus are getting angry and are starting to resent Michigan.
    If the weather is determined too cold for students, why is it not too cold for staff? Or, if it isn’t too cold for staff, why is it not too cold for students? Cities like Minneapolis and Fargo function just fine in negative temperatures. Make up your mind Michigan, don’t just cancel classes because you are trying to ‘make up’ for what you did wrong at the beginning of the term.

  3. Ami Marie
    on January 28, 2014 at 8:07 am

    Staff get to park close to bus stops, or near the building in which they work. Students do not have this option. they don’t all live near bus stops, and most do not drive to school. They are walking. And you can absolutely get frost bit within 10 minutes in sub zero weather. Not everyone owns sub-zero clothing. If you have to walk to work, or will be subjected to the frigid temps, then you should use your PTO or unpaid day off, as allowed by this notice.

    • Laura Pasek
      on January 28, 2014 at 10:04 am

      Correction: Staff who opt to shell out $50+/month get to park close to their work. Those of us who find this too expensive have to walk the rest of the way (I have a .8 mi walk). Any work that I have to do CAN be done from home, yet my Dept. insists we use our PTO. I think flexibility means letting folks telecommute. That said, I threw on a pair of tights ($5) and some jeans, and a down jacket + gloves/hat/scarf, etc. and was fine. It’s Michigan, and one should expect some sub-zero temps.

      • Ami Marie
        on January 28, 2014 at 11:22 am

        Good comments, Laura. I would personally do exactly what you did. Bundle up and start walking. I have lived in Michigan all my life and I own sub-zero gear. But these students do not, and many would not go to class, because it is dangerously cold. Therefore, I feel it is very reasonable to cancel classes when it is dangerously cold outside. We are no different from any other Michigan worker at this time. For those that truly can’t manage the cold, or have a job that exposes them to the elements, they need to stay inside. The option of using PTO or no-pay is nice to have. It is then your decision to bundle up and walk, or take the day off. Even if it annoys you. From a manager’s standpoint, allowing work from home is a better option than no work being done. I agree with you that your dept is making a bad managerial decision in that regard. That is just crazy. My orange permit only costs $18 a month ($9 a pay check).

        • J S
          on January 28, 2014 at 2:00 pm

          The students should know what to possibly expect, and after the snow storm and freezing temps earlier this month they should be prepared, including purchasing sub-zero gear. There are plenty of second hand stores around if they can’t afford or don’t want to spend lots of money on new items. If the students don’t want to venture out in the cold, let that be up to them to skip a class. My department makes us use PTS if we don’t come in because of the weather, we don’t have an option for no pay. Plus, many of the patients in my area are elderly, and ill. More of them have cancelled their appointments than have showed up, and I’m glad. They shouldn’t have to risk coming out in the freezing cold. It’s just very frustrating that we as employees are expected to brave the exact same conditions students (many of whom are the same age as many employees) get a pass on. They need to grow up, bundle up, and get to class. I guarantee you the weather isn’t keeping most of them from going out. It’s just a free day to a lot of them.

  4. d d
    on January 28, 2014 at 12:08 pm

    I agree with JS comment above. In addition, its not right to treat one group of people different from another – we all are subject to the extreme cold and icy road conditions.

  5. Rob Utterback
    on January 28, 2014 at 2:41 pm

    Too cold for faculty and students, but not too cold for staff? This type of hairsplitting merely makes the university administrators look like a bunch of incompetent boobs. Also, I really hope that a student sues the university for today’s cancellation of classes.

    • c s
      on January 28, 2014 at 3:30 pm

      I agree with most of your statement. ..but wishing some one would sue u of m is the reason the place hasn’t closed in 35 years and the reason we all have to go to work regardless of temperatures and road conditions while every other school in Michigan cancelled.

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