Des Moines Register
03-01-07
Iowa State, UNI cancel classes
By TOM BARTON
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
Two of Iowa's three state universities canceled classes today.
Iowa State University called off all classes beginning after 1 p.m. due to severe
weather in the Ames area. The University of Northern Iowa is calling off all
classes beginning at 4 p.m.
Classes are still being held at the University of Iowa.
Officials of both ISU and UNI will decide later whether classes will be held on
Friday.
This was the first time in six years that Iowa State has canceled its classes.
When it last occurred, classes were canceled three times in one week.
The last time ISU students cramming for tests or scrambling to write papers were
given such a break was in 2001.
An ice storm, much like the one Saturday that left nearly 300,000 Iowa homes
and businesses without power, forced the cancellation of evening classes on
Jan. 29, 2001.
University offices in both Ames and Cedar Falls will remain open today.
Supervisors are urged to accommodate employees who need to leave early for
safe travel home.
Icy roads, high winds and a blizzard warning from the National Weather Service
prompted the cancellations.
The Iowa Department of Transportation announced it would be closing Interstate
Highway 35, north of U.S. Highway 30 in Ames.
Check the Iowa State homepage for information about class cancellations or
university closings. Reload the Web page often for the latest updates. Closings
and cancellations also
will be relayed through the Associated Press, and media in the central Iowa,
Cedar Rapids and Waterloo areas.
How do I find out about Iowa Communications Network classes?
If Iowa State classes are canceled due to severe weather, all ICN classes also
are canceled. Even if Iowa State is open, the host institution where you go for
ICN classes may be closed. Listen to your local radio station before traveling to
sites in poor weather.
How do I find out about classes in Des Moines?
Iowa State classes in Des Moines are held in a variety of facilities.
Cancellations of specific classes will
be listed on the Iowa State homepage. Cancellations also will be announcedby
Des Moines area TV and radio.
Who makes the call on cancelling classes or closing the university?
The university president makes the decision, in consultation with the vice
president for business and
finance, provost, public safety officials and other university officials.
Also consulted are officials from
weather services, the Iowa Department of Transportation, city of Ames,
CyRide, road maintenance staff
and various law enforcement agencies.
Why does Iowa State often remain open when public schools are closed?
Most Iowa State students live within walking distance of campus and CyRide
routes. (Approximately 85
percent live in Ames.) Generally, when CyRide is operating and streets and
sidewalks are passable, the
university remains in operation. Another factor in the decision to cancel or
close is that the loss of a
class period can seriously affect a number of programs. Unlike public
schools, Iowa State doesn't have
built-in make-up days in the calendar and doesn't extend the school year
when days are lost.
Why not err on the side of safety and close more readily?
Safety is the first concern, but a strong second is providing students with
a good education. Each class
is a lost educational opportunity. If we feel most students, faculty and
staff can get to campus safely,
we are likely to remain in session, counting on others to make good
judgments about whether they
should travel.
What about those who feel it's dangerous to travel?
Students, faculty and staff should put safety first when determining whether
they should travel to
campus in poor weather. Instructors and employee supervisors are urged to
accommodate those who
cannot make it to campus due to travel difficulties.
Do faculty and staff have to take vacation or make up hours lost due to
inclement weather?
The University Inclement Weather Policy details policies for various
employee groups and situations.
All employees should promptly notify their supervisors when it's impossible
to report to work due to
severe weather.
How can offices get the word out on cancellation of events or activities?
For help in getting announcements to the media and on the Web, contact
University Relations, (515)
294-4777 or (515) 294-4845.
Source: Warren Madden, ISU vice president for business and finance,
http://www.iastate.edu/news/weather/winter.shtml