Photo by Bob Elbert.
When the weather outside is frightful, be prepared with this guide to university policies and procedures for severe weather events.
Severe weather policies and information
- Winter Weather FAQ
- ISU Policy Library: Severe Weather and Emergency Closings
- AFSCME Collective Bargaining Agreement (PDF): See Article XI, Section 6, Severe Weather/Emergency Closings
Cancellations and closures
For information on cancellations and closures, check the:
- University homepage
- University Facebook and Twitter accounts
- Campus information center, 294-4357
- Local radio and TV stations
Where to park
If your usual parking lot hasn't been cleared of snow by 7:30 a.m., parking will be available first at:
- Iowa State Center (lots A3, A4, B5 and B6); CyRide will shuttle drivers to campus via the free orange route
- Lots 29 and 30, north of Molecular Biology
- Lot 41, north of General Services Building
If classes are canceled, but the university is not closed
- University offices will remain open
- Employees who can't make it to work should contact their immediate supervisors
- Employees may request to make up the time, use vacation or take leave without pay
- Staff covered by AFSCME should refer to language in the severe weather part of the contract
If the university is officially closed
- Classes are canceled and most university offices are closed
- Vital operation areas (for example, police, parking, food service, power plant, animal care, critical maintenance or snow removal) generally are not closed; employees should follow specific policies established for those areas
- Staff covered by AFSCME should refer to language in the severe weather part of the contract
- Employees who are unsure if they should report to work should communicate with their supervisors
- Some staff members whose offices are closed may elect to work regular hours, with supervisor approval
