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Inclement Weather

Emergency & Inclement Weather Guidelines

How Can I Receive Emergency & Inclement Weather Alerts?

All students, faculty and staff can receive emergency alerts — including closure and delay announcements due to inclement weather — through Pellissippi Alerts. To check that you have signed up to receive emergency alerts, go to myPellissippi’s home page. Within the “Online Services” tab, choose “Sign Up For PSCC Emergency Text Messages” and provide your cell phone number. Be sure to select this number is for “Emergency Contact.” If you are already signed up for emergency alerts, you do not need to sign up again. Additionally, inclement weather announcements will always be posted to the College’s homepage, Facebook page and Twitter account and will be sent to local media outlets for broadcast.

If you are a non-Pellissippi State employee, you will need to create an account with Omnilert. Once you sign up, you may choose to opt-out of the alert service at any time.

What Should I Know About Inclement Weather Delays & Closures?

In general, the College will stay open as long as it is safe to do so. However, in the event of severe weather, the College may delay classes or operating hours, or may close. Any weather closing or delay always applies to all College locations. The terminology “one hour late” and “opening at 9 a.m.” mean the same thing, since the standard workday begins at 8 a.m. For staff, this means offices open at 9 a.m. For faculty and students, this means that classes beginning before 9 a.m. are canceled — even if they would be ongoing during the 9 a.m. hour — and that classes beginning after 9 a.m. meet at their usual time. These same rules apply to delays of two hours or more, and to early closures.

What If the College Is Open, But I Can’t Travel?

Once you arrive on campus, you’re likely to find that campus is safer than area roads — thanks to the efforts of the Facilities crews who arrive early to clear walkways and parking lots. However, your safety is important. If you don’t feel that it is safe to travel, don’t. If you are a student, contact your instructor to tell them you will not be in class. If you are an employee, alert your supervisor if you will not be coming to work.  If the College is open but an employee is unable to reach work, that employee will need to take annual leave or leave without pay.

More information for employees about emergency closings is available in Policy 06-15-00.