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Adverse Weather Procedures

The George Washington University is committed to the safety and security of its students, faculty, staff and visitors. As such, the decision to cancel classes, close the university, and/or cancel or postpone GW-sponsored programs or activities is based on the overall concern for the safety and well-being of the university community. In the event of adverse weather or an emergency, members of the university community are expected to understand their responsibilities with respect to a change in the operating status for any GW location. 

As a residential institution, the university is committed to operate at all times, with options for virtual operations.  There will be times, however, because of adverse weather or other emergency conditions when employees cannot travel to work or may need to leave work early. The president, the provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, and executive vice president and chief administration officer (or their designees) will determine any change in the university’s operating status due to adverse weather or emergency events. Generally, changes made to the university’s operating status will apply to all locations in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area (campuses and centers), unless special consideration must be made, as described below.

EMPLOYEE DESIGNATIONS

All faculty and staff members are invaluable assets of the university, and they perform indispensable services necessary to the successful operation of the university. Accordingly, during times of adverse weather or emergency events, some positions require on-site presence to maintain the security, safety and physical operation of the university. The responsibilities of employees during a change in the university operating status are set forth below. Please note that employees who are members of a union should follow the terms of their collective bargaining agreements. Details are here: https://compliance.gwu.edu/staff-work-designations-policy.

OPERATING STATUS OPTIONS

Operating status options include: open; delayed opening or early departure; open with instructional and administrative continuity and closed. 

Open

All students, faculty and staff should follow their normal schedules.

Delayed Opening/Early Departure

Essential On-Site Staff must report to their workplace on time as directed by their supervisor and stay the full shift as directed by their supervisor.

In-Person Staff may follow the revised arrival or departure time communicated through official notifications.

Online classes will continue as scheduled.

In-person classes may be held online, prior to the revised opening or after the early departure time. Faculty will inform students of relevant instructional continuity plans.

Open with Instructional and Administrative Continuity

Essential On-Site Staff must report to their workplace on time as directed by their supervisor. In-Person and Hybrid Staff should use their best judgment if adverse weather creates extreme hazards when traveling to or from the workplace. 

In-Person and Hybrid Staff may choose to:

  • Report to work as normal;
  • Report to work virtually (if allowed by position designation/supervisor and a telework agreement is in place); or
  • Take annual leave.

Classes will continue; faculty will be required to inform students of relevant instructional continuity plans, if needed.   

Closed

Essential On-Site Employees must report to their workplace on time as directed by their supervisor. In-Person and Hybrid Staff are excused from work and will be paid for their scheduled hours.

No classes will be held.

NOTIFICATION

The GW community will be notified of a change in operating status through one or more of the following means of communication:

  • Infomail
  • GW Alert: e-mail, text message, and/or Guardian App messages
  • GW Campus Advisories
  • Social media (Facebook and Twitter)
  • GW homepage
  • GW Information Line (202-994-5050)
  • Local media (for example, WTOP, WAMU, Washington Post, local television stations)

Locations outside the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area will communicate their operating status to their respective office or department at Foggy Bottom, the Office of Emergency Management ([email protected]) and Media Relations/External Relations ([email protected]).  

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

In some circumstances, units on the main campuses or independent locations may change their operating status due to localized adverse weather or emergency incidents, while other units or locations may continue to operate on a normal schedule.  Some units of the university or locations may have additional procedures or communication systems for their location.

Locations operating outside of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area may make independent decisions if authorized to do so. The Arlington and Alexandria Centers follow the operating status decision for the Foggy Bottom Campus. However, the operating status of the Hampton Roads Center located in Newport News, VA, and the Biostatistics Center in Rockville, MD, will be determined by the Center’s administrator. In addition:

  • The Medical Faculty Associates will notify their employees and patients of their status; which does not always align with the university
  • School of Medicine and Health Sciences
    • The School of Medicine and Health Sciences has special procedures during adverse weather.  For information, call 202-994-3501.
  • Virginia Science and Technology Campus (VSTC), Ashburn, Virginia
    • VSTC’s operating status will be posted on GW Campus Advisories and on the VSTC page.
  • Biostatistics Center (BSC), Rockville, Maryland
    • BSC’s operating status will be posted on GW Campus Advisories and is also available on their information line (301-881-9260) and on the BSC website.
  • Other GW Locations and Centers
    • The Arlington and Alexandria Centers follow the operating status decision for the main Foggy Bottom campus.
    • The operating status of the Hampton Roads Center will be determined by the center’s administration and they will notify their own staff of any change in status
  • Special events at the university may be held despite a change in the university’s operating status.