COLUMBIA, Mo. — It’s that time of year to begin preparing for winter weather that will be arriving soon in mid-Missouri. For the University of Missouri, that means faculty, staff and students will once again shift to remote working and learning during inclement weather events to reduce interruptions.
Faculty members who have scheduled classes on days when campus is physically closed or with limited in-person operations will be expected to engage their classes in remote learning. The format of this learning is up to the discretion of the faculty member (e.g., holding a synchronous virtual class meeting; assigning readings or other assignments to be completed asynchronously). Instructors are expected to proactively communicate expectations with their students.
Staff members who aren’t required to work on campus during a weather event will be expected to telework. Supervisors are responsible for coordinating alternative work plans with their employees.
MU will stay open whenever possible for business and on-campus instructional activities during winter weather. On those days, employees and students are expected to exercise judgment when deciding if they can travel safely to campus. Each individual’s circumstance will be different; therefore, it’s important that supervisors and instructors facilitate conversations to determine what options exist for their teams and classes in the event they cannot make it to campus.
Employees will fall into three categories during an inclement weather event:
- Those who aren’t required to work on-site and will telework from home or another location. Staff who do not telework must take paid time off — either personal or vacation days.
- Those who cannot carry out their duties through telework and who are instructed that they are not required on-site to work will be compensated.
- Those who are non-exempt (hourly) and are required to work on-site may be eligible to receive premium pay; those who are required to work on-site and choose not to will need to take paid time off — either personal or vacation days.
If there is a change in campus status due to severe weather, the university will:
- Issue an MU Alert, triggering a text message to all registered cellphone numbers and an email to the campus community.
- Post information to the Mizzou homepage.
- Post information to Mizzou’s social media channels.
- Inform local media outlets.
- Strive to provide campus status by 6 a.m. on weather-affected weekdays.
Visit the MU Alert website to learn more about the university’s inclement weather policies and find links to status updates from MU Health Care hospitals and clinics, the Veterinary Health Center, the MU Student Center, Ellis Library, Student Recreation Complex, Campus Dining Services and other campus departments. Some of these areas may continue in-person operations even when the campus has shifted to remote work and teaching, so please look for updates.