by Nanci Flores
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – In cases of extreme weather, the University of Arkansas chancellor can decide to cancel classes if the outside conditions cause a threat to the safety of students, faculty and staff.
The university respond to weather emergencies by changing its hour operations in one of three ways: cancellation, delayed start or early dismissal of classes.
Included in the inclement weather policy are cases of snow or ice, as well as severe thunderstorm activity, tornadoes, and flooding.
Some students questioned on social media why the university does not cancel class on days with temperatures below freezing.
According to the inclement weather policy, the University of Arkansas remains open in spite of weather conditions in order to accommodate to the needs of students, the requirements of ongoing research activities, and other factors.
Faculty can also decide their own individual policy for when a student can’t make it safely to class.
“When it comes to inclement weather and closing the university you got to remember that there are so many parts that come into that,” Student Body President Andrew Counce said. “So just because it’s cold and rainy doesn’t necessarily mean that class is going to be cancelled.”
Counce is part of the Inclement Weather Group led by the Provost, the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Finance and Administration. When the National Weather Service or local meteorologist consider there is a warning of inclement weather, the committee meets to monitors traffic and safety conditions.
University Relations staff will communicate any decisions about changes to university operations through the emergency alert system, RazAlert, via text, email and voice messages.