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The purpose of this memorandum is to address three of the most common adverse weather conditions that affect University operations, namely unusually heavy snowfalls, tornadoes and severe wind-chill conditions. Each situation requires an individualized response, as follows.

Heavy Snowfall

During periods of heavy snowfall, all staff and students are encouraged to utilize the various parking garages as appropriate to facilitate the clearing of snow from surface lots.

When the snow accumulation progresses to the point where most roads and streets are virtually impassable, it may be necessary to suspend classes and/or routine operations of the University. This will constitute a "Snow Recess."

The President of the University or, in his absence, the Executive Vice President and Treasurer and the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs will jointly make a decision to declare a "Snow Recess." At the regional campuses, the Chancellor, in consultation with the Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services or designee, will decide when it is necessary to declare a "Snow Recess."

When a "Snow Recess" is declared, classes will be suspended and most staff will be requested to leave the University and/or not report for work until further notice. Some personnel ("essential personnel") will be required to stay on campus for all or part of the duration of the "Snow Recess" in order to insure the continuing operation of the University at the minimum necessary level. Specific pay practices for a snow recess will be distributed to departments by the Department of Personnel Services.

"Essential personnel" would include, but not be limited to key personnel in the Residence Halls, Student Hospital, Food Stores, Physical Facilities, Purdue Memorial Union, and Transportation Services. Each department head will designate essential personnel in his/her department.

Emergency housing and meal facilities will be provided at University expense to those who are required to remain on campus. Each department will be responsible for reimbursing the Purdue Memorial Union or other facilities providing housing and/or meals.

Tornadoes

The University's exterior warning sirens are an integral part of the Tippecanoe Emergency Management Agency's siren system. As such, they are used to alert people to not only tornado warnings, but other potentially life threatening disasters (i.e. chemical releases).

Consequently, when the sirens are activated for other than test purposes, people should quickly tune to local TV and radio stations for further information as to what action is required.

Presently, all sirens in the County may sound at once, although not everyone may be affected by a particular emergency. Future plans are to purchase and install equipment, which will group the sirens into several geographical activation zones to avoid inconveniencing everyone unnecessarily.

It is important to remember that the warning sirens are our primary means of announcing a tornado warning.

Be familiar with the terminology used on weather bulletins broadcast by radio and television stations.

1. A "Tornado Watch" is issued when atmospheric conditions are favorable for the formation of tornadoes in a given area. Under these conditions keep informed by listening to radio or television.

    

2. A "Tornado Warning" indicates that a tornado has been sighted and poses a definite threat to a given area.

When a "Tornado Warning" has been announced for Tippecanoe County, the following activities should be interrupted and the necessary safeguards initiated immediately. You may have only a few minutes in which to act.

1. Classes should cease immediately. Students and faculty should shut off lab equipment for which they are responsible and proceed to the closest sheltered area.

    

2. All University business and activities, except for emergency services, will terminate. Students, staff, and faculty should proceed to the closest sheltered area until the warning expires.

    

3. All normal activities in University residence halls will cease. The building occupants should proceed to sheltered areas.

In seeking a sheltered area you should:

1. Proceed to the basement of any building that has a basement or subwalk. Position yourself in the safest portion of the area away from glass. Be prepared to kneel facing a wall and cover your head.

    

2. In high-rise (four stories or more) buildings, vacate the top floor and move to a lower floor or to the basement. Position yourself in an interior corridor away from glass. Be prepared to kneel facing the wall and cover your head.

    

3. Occupants of wood-frame buildings or brick buildings with wood floors should leave the building and go directly to a more substantial concrete building, preferably with a basement.

Wind Chill

When existing or predicted low temperatures and wind conditions are such to pose a severe health threat to students walking to and from class, a "Severe Weather" emergency may be declared by the President of the University, or in his absence, by the Executive Vice President and Treasurer and the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, jointly. When a "Severe Weather" emergency has been declared, classes will be suspended. However, because most employees have short walks from the parking lots or garages to their building, all University employees who can do so safely should report to work. Those who do not report to work when scheduled will be required to use vacation (if available) or leave without pay.

Steven C. Beering
President