A snowy winter day on campus. Archive photo by Christopher Gannon.
Autumn was long and warm, but this is Iowa; winter is coming. Get ready for severe winter weather with this guide to university policies and procedures.
Severe weather policies and information
- Winter weather FAQ
- Winter safety tips
- ISU Policy Library: Severe Weather and Emergency Closings
- AFSCME collective bargaining agreement: Article XI, Section 6, Severe Weather/Emergency Closings
Cancellations and closures
To learn about ISU cancellations and closures, check the:
- University homepage
- University Facebook and Twitter accounts
- IT Solution Center, 294-4000
- 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
For more information, see the parking section of the environmental health and safety website.
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 severe weather language in the contract
If the university is officially closed
- Classes are canceled and most university offices are closed
- Vital operations (i.e., police, parking, food service, power plant, animal care, critical maintenance or snow removal) generally are not closed; employees should follow policies established for those areas
- Staff covered by AFSCME should refer to severe weather language in 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 choose to work regular hours, with supervisor approval
