GW Monogram

Campus Safety

Division of Safety & Operations

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 the executive vice president and chief financial 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 considerations 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's 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. Review the Staff Work Designations Policy for details.

OPERATING STATUS OPTIONS

The following are campus operating statuses with guidance for employees and operations. GW Staff with Collective Bargaining Agreements will follow predetermined procedures according to their agreement.

Open

Operations will proceed normally with in-person classes and staff work.

Open with Instructional and Administrative Continuity

All university campuses and centers will be open with faculty and staff allowed individual status flexibility.

  • Faculty should proceed with scheduled classes normally or notify students of alternate arrangements.
  • Based upon staff designations:
    • Essential on-site - staff should report to work in person as scheduled.
    • On-Campus/In-Person Staff - should report to work or coordinate with their supervisor.
    • Hybrid staff - should report to work if scheduled to be onsite for the day or coordinate with their supervisor.
    • Full-time Remote - should proceed as normal.
  • Those with clinical responsibilities should follow the guidance of your clinical coordinator or designated supervisor.
  • In-person activities and events may be adjusted on a case-by-case basis.

Delay

GW campuses and centers will be open after a delayed start. Delayed start time will be determined within the decision-making process and announced in notification.

  • Faculty who teach in-person classes that begin prior to delayed start time should use technology to continue classes online, if possible, and notify students of such arrangements. In-person classes taking place at or after delayed start time will proceed normally. All online classes will proceed normally.
  • Based upon staff designations:
    • Essential on-site staff - should report to work in person as scheduled.
    • On-Campus/In-Person Staff - should report to work based upon the delayed start time or coordinate with their supervisor.
    • Hybrid staff - should report to work if scheduled to be onsite for the day based upon the delayed start time or coordinate with their supervisor.
    • Full-time Remote - should proceed as normal.
  • Essential on-site staff should report to work in person as scheduled. Staff scheduled to work in person should report to work beginning at the delayed start time. Staff typically scheduled to telework should telework beginning at normal business hours, with no delay.
  • In-person activities and events beginning before or at the delayed arrival may be rescheduled or canceled.

Early Release

University campuses and centers will be physically closed after an early release. Release time will be determined within the decision-making process and announced in notification.

  • Faculty who teach in-person classes that begin at or after the early release should use technology to continue classes online, if possible, and notify students of such arrangements as soon as possible. All online classes will proceed normally.
  • Essential on-site staff should remain on campus or report to work in person as scheduled.
  • Other staff working in-person should depart campus according to early release.
  • In-person activities and events beginning at or after the early release may be rescheduled or canceled.

Physical Campus Closure

The campus is closed requiring support from essential on-site staff, but instructional/administrative operations are to continue virtually.

  • No in-person classes will take place. Faculty who teach in-person classes should use technology to continue classes online, if possible, and notify students directly of such arrangements as soon as possible. Online classes will proceed normally.
  • Essential on-site staff should report to work in person as scheduled and according to any scheduling adjustments made by the supervisor.
  • All other staff should telework if the nature of their work can be performed remotely.

Closed

The campus is closed entirely and requires work from essential on-site workers only. Instructional and administrative operations will not occur in-person or virtually.

  • No in-person or virtual classes, events, or administrative operations will take place.
  • Essential on-site staff should report to work in person as scheduled and according to any scheduling adjustments made by the supervisor. 

NOTIFICATION

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

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 (oematgwu [dot] edu) and Media Relations/External Relations (gwmediaatgwu [dot] edu (gwmedia[at]gwu[dot]edu)).