Due to forecasted impacts from Hurricane Florence, the University will move to Condition 1 (Reduced Operations) of its adverse weather plan at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 11. At 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 12, the University will move to Condition 2 (Suspended Operations) and remain at Condition 2 until 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16.
In addition, classes will be cancelled beginning at 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday to allow students to travel home if they are able.
All students are strongly encouraged to leave the Chapel Hill area before the storm hits. Anyone who is traveling out of the path of the storm should do so no later than Wednesday evening.
The residence halls will remain open for students who live on campus and are not able to travel home. Details on dining and other campus services will be communicated in the near future.
Decisions regarding planned athletic events will be announced at a later time. Visit GoHeels.com for updates.
Condition 1 (beginning at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11 until 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12)
Current conditions may not pose severe safety risks or logistical challenges, but an event has significant potential to negatively affect – or already is affecting – local area commuting, important campus services, or the efficient functioning of campus buildings and grounds. Faculty and staff should consider their own personal circumstances to determine whether to report late, leave early, or not report at all. Classes are cancelled.
- Non-mandatory employees, after informing their supervisors in a timely manner, have the option to report to work late, leave early, or not report to work. These employees must use available personal leave time (compensatory, vacation or bonus) to cover any time away from regular work hours.
- Alternatively, and only with supervisor approval, these employees may be permitted to work from home or alternate sites when, in the supervisor’s discretion, it is feasible and safe for this to occur. Employees working away from campus do not use leave. Even so, such arrangements may not be practicable for all types of employees or during every type of adverse weather or emergency event.
- Mandatory employees (whose presence has been designated mandatory to University operations during adverse weather or emergency events) are expected to report to work or remain on the job, and if deemed necessary by their supervisor, to work a differing schedule or shift than normally assigned.
Condition 2 (beginning at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12 until 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16)
Classes are cancelled and all non-mandatory operations are suspended; only mandatory employees must report to or remain at work. Non-faculty (staff) non-mandatory employees must not report, or must leave campus. These employees must use leave time if not working or can use make-up time subject to applicable rules. Alternatively, and only with supervisor approval, non-mandatory employees may work from home or an alternate site.
Adverse Weather Policy and Background
Unless a change in operational status is announced, the University always operates on a regular schedule. UNC-Chapel Hill may activate three adverse weather operating conditions: Condition 1 – Reduced Operations (University is open); Condition 2 – Suspended Operations (classes are cancelled; University is open only for mandatory operations); and Condition 3 – Closure (classes are cancelled; offices and facilities are closed).
Staff employees are reminded of the University of North Carolina system adverse weather policy for all UNC campuses that took effect in 2016.
Key factors include projections about weather and travel conditions on area roads and campus sidewalks, as well as the operating plans of Chapel Hill Transit and other regional transit. Safety is the number one priority when making weather decisions about campus operations.
Information Sources
If adverse weather changes the University’s operating status, campus communications will include:
- An email, website post and, if conditions warrant, a text message from Alert Carolina, alertcarolina.unc.edu. You must be signed up to receive an Alert Carolina text message.
- Posts on the University’s homepage, www.unc.edu, amplified via official social media accounts including @UNC, @Alert_UNCCH (for parents, family, Chapel Hill residents and friends) and @UNC_HR on Twitter.
- UNC Transportation and Parking for information including parking lot conditions and the status of Point-to-Point shuttle operations, which may cease at any point when travel becomes hazardous for drivers and passengers. Refer to move.unc.edu.
- Area news media websites.
Chapel Hill Transit also posts adverse weather news and routes and schedules. Refer to www.townofchapelhill.org/government/news-events/emergency/adverse-weather-updates