Campus Advisory Status

• Instruction: Online classes continue as scheduled; for in-person classes, consult myLearning for more information.
• Campuses and Buildings: Closed
• College Services: Available remotely (online, phone, or email) 
• Faculty/Staff: Remote work
• Essential Operations Employees: Report to work, following direction of supervisor

When weather or other emergency events warrant closure of the campuses and buildings, but aren’t severe enough to impact student, faculty and staff internet access and power, this option will be used. All college-owned and operated buildings are closed. Instruction will be delivered online, as scheduled. For any classes that were scheduled for in-person instruction, the instructor will communicate to their students how instructional time will be made up or how established course learning outcomes will be achieved. Student services will continue, as scheduled, to be offered online and employees are expected to continue to work remotely. Employees who are unable to work as usual should discuss the situation with their supervisor.

• Instruction: Canceled (both online and in-person)
• Campuses and Buildings: Closed
• College Services: Not available; self-services available via my.CSMD
• Faculty/Staff: Not required to work; not required to take leave
• Essential Operations Employees: Report to work, following direction of supervisor

This option will be implemented in the event of significant snow accumulation, for weather events that create widespread internet or power outages in the region, or for other emergency events. All instruction is canceled, and all college services are closed. Faculty and staff, other than essential operations employees, are not required to work and are not required to take leave.

• Instruction: Online classes continue as scheduled; in-person credit classes will be held beginning when campuses open; in-person continuing education students will be notified by email regarding status of their class
• Campuses and Buildings: Closed
• College Services: Limited availability; self-services available via my.CSMD
• Faculty/Staff: Remote work until campuses open, follow directions of supervisor
• Essential Operations Employees: Report to work, following direction of supervisor

This option will be implemented when it is anticipated that weather conditions will improve during morning hours or an emergency event occurs that requires a CSM response (e.g. power outage). When the college opens late, in-person credit classes that began during the closing will not be held. Instructors will communicate to their students how instructional time will be made up or how established course learning outcomes will be achieved. Continuing education students effected by the closing will be notified by email regarding status of their class. On-campus college services will be closed during the time of the delayed opening. Limited student services may be available remotely during the time of the delayed opening. Employees scheduled to work on campus during the delayed opening should consult their supervisor regarding their schedule for the day.

• Instruction: Online classes continue as scheduled; in-person classes that are in session when an early closing is announced and those that will begin and meet for 50% or more of their instructional time should meet until the early closing time
• Campuses and Buildings: Closed
• College Services: Limited availability; self-services available via my.CSMD
• Faculty/Staff: Remote work for the remainder of the workday, follow directions of supervisor
• Essential Operations Employees: Report to work, following direction of supervisor

This option will be implemented when an unexpected significant weather or other emergency event occurs. During an early closing, instruction will end early for all in-person students. When the college closes early, students should plan to attend class until closing time. In-person classes that are in session when an early closing is announced and those that will meet for 50% or more of their instructional time should meet until the early closing time.  For example, if the college is scheduled to close at 1 p.m., a class scheduled to meet from noon to 2 p.m. would still meet (from noon to 1 p.m.). For any cancelled classes that were scheduled for in-person instruction, the instructor will communicate to their students how instructional time will be made up or how established course learning outcomes will be achieved. On-campus college services will be closed at the time of early closure. Limited student services may be available remotely after the time of the early closing. Employees scheduled to work on campus after the closing time should consult their supervisor for directions. 

Ordinarily, the President makes the decision based on recommendations from the Vice President for Operations and Planning; the Public Safety and Preparedness Department; the Facilities Management Department; and other sources.

There is no fixed time by which a decision to close or delay opening is made. While many people like to complain or joke about weather forecasting, the truth is that it remains an inexact science and weather conditions can change both quickly and significantly. Because forecasts can be wrong, it is not possible to commit to making a decision by a specific time. However, we do recognize that people are anxious for a decision to be made and do consider media and commuting schedules in making decisions. While we attempt to make decisions for all-day closings and delayed openings by 5:30 a.m., you should always consider the possibility that the decision may come after that time.

The decision to close or to delay opening is made after seeking input from numerous college, government and other sources about the ability to maintain campus accessibility, road conditions in Southern Maryland, actions taken by area public school districts, local weather conditions, and weather forecasts for the coming hours.

• CSM.TXT - CSM.TXT is CSM's alert service provided through e2Campus™. This service will send you instant alerts and time-sensitive messages, including up-to-date information on emergencies and campus closings. Messages can be sent via text message to your cell phone or via email. Registration is free. All text messaging fees will apply. Get more information and register for CSM.TXT.
• CSM Website - The college website displays emergency conditions at several locations including the main website at www.csmd.edu and my.csmd.edu.
• Employee Everyone email and/or myLearning shells - For employees, an "Everyone email" is distributed shortly after a decision is made.
• Social Media – Follow the College of Southern Maryland on Facebook, Twitter (CSMHawks and CSMHeadlines) and Instagram
• Media Outlets - The college also notifies these media outlets of closings and delayed openings:

Announcements made that the college is closed include all campuses.

Communications will not be initiated if a decision is made to remain open. You should assume that the college is open unless it is previously scheduled to be closed (for example, winter break, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day) or an announcement of a closing or delayed opening is made.

The dedicated personnel of the Facilities Management Department, sometimes aided by outside contractors, are responsible for snow and ice treatment. If you notice an area that is in particular need of treatment, you are encouraged to contact that department at 301-934-7734.