Inclement Weather
Tune in to Local TV Stations for School Delays
College Closing Process
As we enter the season when the weather creates situations when the college finds it necessary to make adjustments in its class schedules and normal operating hours, it is important to understand the announcements made on local radio / television stations. Announcements will also be posted on the college’s telephone information system at 857-VWCC (8922) and the website at www.virginiawestern.edu. However, it is strongly suggested that you pay greater attention to the announcements made through radio and television outlets as the phone system and the website may, at times, be delayed in making the information available.
An excellent method to directly receive office closing notifications is through VW ALERT. This is the text messaging system recently installed as part of the VWCC Emergency Alert System. If you have not already done so, enroll in the VW ALERT system right away to receive the text message alerts regarding office closings and other emergency alerts. These alerts may also be sent to your work and/or home computers.
While Virginia Western is explicit in the information provided to the media, the media in turn may announce information differently and it may be confusing. Be sure to listen often to these outlets to ascertain the college's status. It is important that all students and college personnel be alert to radio and television announcements when any doubt exists concerning college closings or delayed openings:
- Schedule changes for day classes will normally occur prior to 6:00 AM
- Schedule changes for evening classes will normally occur between 3:00 and 4:00 PM
When you hear an announcement that "Virginia Western Community College is closed", or "Virginia Western Community College classes are canceled", ANY activities or operations associated with the college are canceled and the college is closed.
When you hear an announcement that "Virginia Western will open at [time]", classes will be held according to the compressed schedule outlined below.
Due to changes in weather patterns and / or successful snow removal efforts, the status of day classes and evening classes may vary from time to time. The college will assess its ability to open or close twice per day and will always issue office closing announcements.
In the event day classes are canceled but evening classes are held, instructors are responsible for arrangements in meeting their classes, whether on campus or off campus. In the reverse order, the same responsibilities hold true.
Delayed Opening Class Schedule
| Monday, Wednesday & Friday Classes Monday, Wednesday classes* |
|
|---|---|
| Regular Class Schedule | Delayed Class Schedule |
8:00 - 8:50 a.m. |
10:00 - 10:40 a.m. |
9:00 - 9:50 a.m. |
10:45 - 11:25 a.m. |
10:00 - 10:50 a.m. |
11:30 - 12:10 p.m. |
11:00 - 11:50 a.m. |
12:15 - 12:55 p. m. |
12:00 - 12:50 p.m. |
1:00 - 1:40 p.m. |
1:00 - 1:50 p.m. |
1:45 - 2:25 p. m. |
2:00 - 2:50 p. m. |
2:30 - 3:10 p.m. |
3:00 - 4:15 p. m. |
3:15 - 4:15 p. m. |
4:00 - 5:15 p.m. |
4:20 - 5:35 p.m. |
| Tuesday & Thursday Classes | |
|---|---|
| Regular Class Schedule | Delayed Class Schedule |
8:00 - 9:15 a.m. |
10:00 - 11:10 a.m. |
9:00 - 10:15 a.m. |
11:15 - 12:25 p.m. |
10:30 - 11:50 a.m. |
12:30 - 1:40 p.m. |
12:00 - 1:30 p.m. |
|
2:00 - 3:15 p. m. |
3:00 - 4:10 p.m. |
3:30 - 4:45 p. m. |
4:15 - 5:25 p.m. |
Rev. 8/2009
For VWCC Employees
Please pay particular attention to the announcements as they pertain to delayed openings (see below). It is expected that employees be fully aware of the official opening time and be at their workstations promptly to serve our students and others. Only “designated employees” are eligible to earn compensatory leave for time worked during an authorized closing.
The following announcements of delayed openings and college closings will govern the status of employees.
For Delayed Opening of the College
“Virginia Western will open at [time].” Designated employees report on the regular schedule. Non-designated employees and teaching faculty are to report and be prepared to work by the official delayed opening. Classes will be held according to the inclement weather delayed schedule.
For Closing of the College
“Virginia Western is closed.” Designated employees are to report to work on the normal schedule. Non-designated employees do not report.
“Virginia Western will close at [time].” Designated employees shall remain on duty, unless released by the immediate supervisor. Non-designated employees shall be released from work as of the official closing time.
It is very important for employees to use good judgment during times of inclement weather. When the college is open and inclement weather is prevalent, employees must ultimately decide for themselves whether conditions are safe for them to report to work. In instances where individual judgment dictates that you should remain at home rather than travel, you should notify your supervisor and charge your time away from work to accrued leave. There will be times when employees must exercise responsibility to determine when it is safe to travel.
Off-Campus Locations
VWCC off-campus sites at the Roanoke Higher Education Center, the Greenfield Center, the Franklin Center, the Claude Moore Center, and any other remote locations that may be utilized from time-to-time shall officially close when the main campus is officially closed. When delays in opening the main campus occur, the same delayed opening provisions shall apply to the off-campus locations. In the event that conditions are such that a need arises to cancel classes at an off-campus site where conditions are not the same as the main campus, the Coordinator of Workforce Development Services may authorize classes or events to be cancelled at the affected site or the site may be closed.
WDS Contract Classes and Events on Company Sites
In the event delayed openings occur or the college is closed at the main campus, classes that are delivered at company sites or events scheduled specifically for a particular client, shall continue as normal unless the company itself chooses to delay or cancel the class or event. Instructors of contract classes at company sites shall meet these classes as normal even though the main campus may have a delayed opening or is officially closed. The respective company shall inform the Coordinator of Workforce Development Services or the specific Workforce Development Program Coordinator of any adjustment in contract class meetings as soon as possible when the event occurs.
Designated Employees for Office Closings
Employees who are considered "designated employees" are required to work during authorized office closings and must be prepared to report during their normal operating hours. "Designated employees" will be credited with compensatory leave during such closings for hours worked during their normal work schedules. Hours worked beyond the normal work schedule will be treated according to the "Fair Labor Standards Act" for those positions identified as non-exempt. The "designated employee" listing reflects those who are required to work during an office closing because their positions have been designated as necessary or essential to agency operations during emergency conditions. Emergency conditions are those situations that "prevent employees from traveling to and from work, or remaining at work (such as inclement weather, utility failure, fire, or other forced evacuations)." You may discuss the matter of "designated employee" with your immediate supervisor. If you have any questions about the "Office Closings Policy", please contact the Human Resources Office.
| Position Number | Role Title |
|---|---|
| All Officers | Police Department |
| 00013 | Administrative Office Specialist II |
| 00099 | Trades Technician IV |
| 00132 | Trades Technician IV |
| 00055 | Trades Technician III |
| 00083 | Trades Technician III |
| 00093 | Trades Technician III |
| 00048 | Trades Technician III |
| 00098 | Trades Technician III |
| 00039 | Trades Technician II |
| 00049 | Trades Technician II |
| 00006 | Trades Technician II |
| 00129 | Trades Technician II |
