Planning & Administration

Procedures for Handling Campus Operations Disruptions

Introduction

These procedures apply to the decision to suspend or close campus operations at the University of Washington Bothell and its off-site locations in the event of potential disruptions due to weather or other events. Please note that the decision to suspend operations or close the UW Bothell campus is independent of decisions for UW Seattle or UW Tacoma.

All faculty, staff, and students should assume UW Bothell is open and operating normally unless notified to the contrary, in accordance with these procedures.

Procedures for handling Campus Operations Disruptions.

There are potentially three response options to modify operations on the Bothell campus: (a) Suspended Operations, (b) Closed, (c) Delayed Opening/Start.

If the campus is closed, students, faculty, and non-essential staff should not attempt to come to campus.

StatusDescription
Suspended OperationsNormal onsite campus operations are cancelled for (the rest of) the business day. Events on campus are cancelled. Classes and services may be offered online. Please check the emergency blog for details.
ClosedThe campus is closed and all events on campus are cancelled. Only essential personnel are allowed on campus. Classes and services may be offered online. Please check the emergency blog for details.
Delayed Opening/StartActivities occurring before the selected opening time are cancelled, but activities beginning after the opening time may continue as scheduled. Please check the emergency blog for details.

Decisions to modify campus operations may be made at any time during the day based on anticipated inclement weather or other conditions, their expected impact on campus operations, and the advice and actions of public authorities. Depending on the severity and certainty of the event impact, additional modifications may also be made throughout the day.

Student, faculty & non-essential staff

If the UW Bothell campus suspends operations or closes due to severe weather or other reasons, classes and other services may transition to online/remote formats. Please check the emergency blog for details.

Those who are unable to continue online operations due to power outages or other impacts should follow the procedures provided by the emergency notification systems (listed below). Each department/unit should also have their own continuity and communication plan in place to support their specific operational needs and employees in the event of suspended operations, closures or delayed starts.

Essential staff

Each major division at UW Bothell should have individuals designated as “essential” staff who will be available during suspended operations and campus closures. The Emergency Preparedness Manager and OEHR can assist UW Bothell units to identify and designate specific staff members in their units as essential.  All essential staff should remain available, regardless of closures or suspended activities, although they may work remotely or on a reduced schedule. This arrangement is in place to ensure the physical safety and operational continuity of key facilities and campus operations. Staff members designated as essential should be notified at least once a year. For more information, please review APS 40.2.

Operations at offsite locations and leased spaces

Off-site educational programs at Bellevue College, Everett Community College, Shoreline Community College, and any other off-site programs that are not listed here will follow the closure or other operational decisions made by their host facility/property manager. Schools should maintain communication channels with the host institutions and have contingency plans for such closures or disruptions.

Notification Systems

These notification systems will be activated as needed to inform students, faculty, and staff of any suspended operations or campus closure decisions.