Planning & Administration

Procedures for Handling Campus Operations Disruptions

Introduction

These procedures apply to the decision to suspend campus operations at the University of Washington Bothell and its off-site locations in the event of potential disruptions due to weather or other events. Please note that the decision to suspend operations on the UW Bothell campus is independent of decisions for UW’s Seattle or Tacoma campuses.

All faculty, staff, and students should assume UW Bothell is open and operating normally unless notified to the contrary, in accordance with these procedures.

Procedures for handling Campus Operations Disruptions.

There are potentially two response options to modify operations on the Bothell campus: (a) Suspended Operations and (b) Delayed Opening/Start.

If campus operations are suspended, students, faculty, and non-essential staff should not attempt to come to campus, with the exception of those who live in the residence halls.

StatusDescription
Suspended OperationsNormal on-site campus operations are cancelled for (the remainder of) the business day. Events on campus are cancelled. Classes and services may be offered online. Employees designated as providing essential service are required to report to work, unless otherwise notified. Please check the emergency blog for details.
Delayed Opening/StartActivities occurring before the determined opening time are cancelled, but activities beginning after the opening time may continue as scheduled. Please check the emergency blog for details.

Decisions to suspend campus operations may be made at any time during the day based on anticipated inclement weather or other conditions, their expected impact on campus operations, and the advice and actions of public authorities. Depending on the severity and certainty of the event impact, additional modifications may also be made throughout the day.

Student, faculty & non-essential employees

If the UW Bothell campus suspends operations due to severe weather or other reasons, classes and other services may transition to online/remote formats. Please check the emergency blog for details.

Those who are unable to continue online operations due to power outages or other impacts should follow the procedures provided by the emergency notification systems (listed below). Each department/unit should also have their own continuity and communication plan in place to support their specific operational needs and employees in the event of suspended operations or delayed starts.

Essential employees

Each major unit at UW Bothell should have staff designated as “essential” who are required to report to work during any period of declared suspended operations unless otherwise notified. Essential employees may be required to work on campus, or work remotely or be on a reduced schedule with approval from their supervisor or manager. The Emergency Preparedness Manager and OEHR can assist UW Bothell units in identifying and designating specific positions in their units as essential. This arrangement is in place to ensure the physical safety and operational continuity of key facilities and campus operations. Employees in positions designated as essential should be provided written notice at least once a year. For more information, please review APS 40.2.

Operations at offsite locations and leased spaces

Off-site educational programs at Bellevue College, Everett Community College, Shoreline Community College, and any other off-site programs that are not listed here will follow the operational decisions made by their host facility/property manager. Schools should maintain communication channels with the host institutions and have contingency plans for such disruptions.

Notification Systems

These notification systems will be activated as needed to inform students, faculty, and staff of any suspended operations or campus closure decisions.