Campus Advisory Status
Revised Inclement Weather Protocols
Effective January 29, 2021
On most days with inclement weather, the college will continue online instruction and remote college services (online, phone, or email). If weather conditions warrant, classes that are scheduled for in-person instruction may be canceled. In the event of widespread power or internet failures, the college may cancel all instruction and suspend all college services.
Inclement Weather Operational Status Codes
Instruction: Online classes continue as scheduled; for in-person classes, instructor will provide details regarding rescheduled instruction
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 or delayed opening of the campus 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 (online and in-person)
Campuses and Buildings: Closed
College Services: Not available; self-services available via my.CSMD
Faculty/Staff: Do not work, not required to take leave
Essential Operations Employees: Report to work, following direction of supervisor
This option will be implemented for a significant weather or other emergency event that creates widespread internet or power outages in the region when online instruction is not feasible. All instruction is canceled, and all college services are closed. Faculty and staff do not work and are not required to take leave. Essential operations employees should report to work following the direction of their supervisor.
Instruction: Online classes continue as scheduled; for in-person classes, instructor will provide details regarding rescheduled instruction
Campuses and Buildings: Closed
College Services: Available remotely (online, phone, or email)
Faculty/Staff: Remote work; liberal leave in effect for staff
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 while students may be on campus (in-person classes). During an early closing, instruction ends early for all in-person students. When the college closes early, students should plan to attend class until 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. Should a faculty member find it necessary to cancel an individual class meeting, they will notify the students on the class roster via their CSM email. 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. On-campus college services will be closed at the time of early closure. Employees, other than essential operational employees, scheduled to work on campus after the closing time do not work and are not required to take leave.
Other Information
The college makes every effort to arrive at a decision to delay openings, close early, or close completely at the earliest possible time to ensure the safety of the college community.
- For delays or closings, notifications will generally be made by 5:30 a.m.
- For a delayed opening, any updates will be provided at least one hour prior to the original planned opening time.
- For early closing, every effort will be made to announce the decision at least two hours before the early closing time.
- In the event of a delayed opening, access to the campus and buildings will be allowed 30 minutes prior to the announced start of instruction.
FAQs about Weather Closings and Delayed Openings
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:
Radio:
WMAL 630 AM
WSMD 98.3 Star FM
WKIK 102.9 FM
WTOP 103.5 FM
WGMS 104.1 FM
WAVA 105.1 FM
WRQX 107.3 FM
Television:
WRC Channel 4
WJLA Channel 7
WUSA Channel 9
WTTG Fox Channel 5
News Channel 8
Announcements made that the college is closed include all campuses.
School districts must consider factors that do not affect the college. They have bus fleets that must be mobilized hours in advance to be able to pick up and drop off children. In addition, they need to make announcements early enough so that parents or guardians may be in a position to be home or to pick up their children. For these reasons and others, the college does not necessarily follow the decisions made by local school districts, although we do consider their decisions.
If the college is not open when a class period begins, the whole class period is canceled, even if the college opens during the middle of the class period.
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.
If a college campus is closed, it is closed for all activities, whether sponsored by the college or by other entities. If an event by another entity is cancelled due to a college closing, you should contact the other entity to determine whether an alternate date will be scheduled or refunds will be offered.
Students, faculty, and staff should put safety first when determining whether they should travel to campus in poor weather. Instructors and employee supervisors are encouraged to accommodate those who cannot make it to campus or who need to leave early due to travel difficulties. Employees, including faculty, will be expected to contact their supervisors or department chairs and to take leave time if they are unable to work during scheduled hours in which the college is open. Part-time faculty who are unable to teach due to weather conditions when the college is open may have their compensation reduced, consistent with college policy.
The dedicated personnel of the Department of Physical Plant, 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.