CWRU is committed to students, staff, and faculty safety as a primary concern during inclement weather.
A. Continuity of Course Scheduling
Case Western Reserve University strives to remain operational to ensure the continuity of instruction to uphold the highest level of academic program experience and delivery. However, extreme weather conditions may warrant a formal campus closure including a delayed start, early dismissal, and/or the cancellation of in-person activities. In the event of a closure, instructors teaching in-person, hybrid, or online courses must notify students via Canvas, SIS, or university email regarding how instruction will continue.
Alternative teaching methods during the closure can include virtual synchronous class meetings or asynchronous activities, including but not limited to videos, podcasts, supplemental readings or discussion posts. In situations where synchronous instruction is not feasible, asynchronous activities are encouraged. It is at the discretion of the instructor as to which alternative method of teaching will occur when in-person classes have been canceled. If an alternative method of teaching is not appropriate or possible, instructors should share with students an adjusted course schedule reflecting the loss of instructional time and how the course material will be covered. Instructors should be as flexible as possible with students who experience challenges because of severe weather.
Procedures:
- Instructional Continuity: If in-person classes are canceled, instructors have the discretion to transition to remote instruction (e.g., via Zoom) or implement alternative teaching methods to keep the course on schedule, unless the university explicitly directs otherwise.
- Online/Distance Learning: Unless specifically announced by the university, inherently online or asynchronous courses will proceed as originally scheduled.
- Syllabus Requirements: To ensure transparency, faculty should include a "Weather Contingency Plan" in their syllabus and consider including specific instructions:
- If feasible, a default operating plan for moving to remote learning that includes a Zoom link and how communication (e.g., email, Canvas announcement) will be handled to describe any shifts in instructional mode.
- A statement indicating that the instructor may provide an assignment to substitute for the in-person class meeting
- A policy on assignments due or exams scheduled for the day of the cancelled class
Recommended Options for Syllabus Language:
"In the event that campus is closed or in-person classes are canceled, students will be notified by instructor via Canvas, SIS, or email regarding alternative teaching methods (such as synchronous Zoom sessions or asynchronous assignments)."
or
"In the event that campus is closed or in-person classes are canceled, students should assume that this class will be taught remotely on Zoom for the duration of the closure unless notified otherwise."
or
“If the university is closed, online-only courses will continue as scheduled unless otherwise notified."
B. Clinical, Lab, and Experiential Learning
- Clinical/Practicum Obligations: In the event of a university closure,
- School of Medicine students in clinical rotations must follow the specific protocols of their assigned clinical site unless instructed otherwise by their program,
- School of Dental Medicine students do not report to their schedule clinic or Sim-Lab sessions,
- School of Nursing prelicensure students (BSN and MN) should not attend clinicals on days when the university is delayed or closed. Professional students may choose to attend their clinicals.
- Experiential Learning: Students engaged in off-campus internships or student teaching should follow the closing procedures of their host organization
C. Student Attendance & Travel Safety
When the university remains open, but a student is unable to reach the campus safely, particularly if they are traveling from an area under a Level 3 Snow Emergency, the student must contact the instructor as soon as possible to report their absence.
- Non-Penalty Clause: Students who proactively communicate their inability to attend due to a Level 3 emergency shall not be penalized for their absence. In general, faculty are encouraged to consider weather-related travel difficulties in enforcing absence penalties.
D. Communication Reminders
- University Marketing and Communications (UMC) sends out emergency alerts via a range of platforms. In a weather emergency, the message goes to all students, postdocs, faculty and staff (including alumni of the past 6 months) via text, email, voice message (typically but not always), social media (Facebook, X), Spartan Safe notification, and an emergency banner on nearly all case.edu websites. Any follow-up messaging does not go out via voice message.
- These messages are broad to the university's operations, not specific schools; if the schools have specific information that needs to be conveyed, it should be done at the school level, in coordination with their marketing and communications director.
- UMC messages will include specific information about Dental Clinic closures because the clinic serves the broader community.
- Following campus-wide communication, deans will then in a timely way provide additional details on the exceptions, as needed, with assistance provided by the directors of marketing and communications. These exceptions should also address the impact on staff and teaching assistants.
- In all instances, all communication should be made in coordination with UMC via the school/college director of marketing and communications.