Weather-related campus closings

Below is the process that is followed when making a decision to close the campus or adjust normal operations:

1. We track weather, traffic, and other indicators.
2. We track three factors:
   • MnDOT advisories (which are often a moving target and are revised as freeway, traffic, and weather conditions change). MnDOT advisories include travel classifications such as “Travel with Caution” and “No Unnecessary Travel”;
   • The closing of other higher education facilities and the public schools in the Twin Cities. In looking at other higher education facilities we look most at schools that, like us, enroll primarily commuter students; and
   • Our facility and ability to open the building. We look at whether or not there are enough staff available to open the building safely, clear the parking lots and walkways, and address operating conditions.
3. We begin checking the weather and consider the factors above as early as possible when severe weather is imminent. In the case of weather developing overnight and in the early morning, we continue to check every 5-10 minutes until early in the morning.
4. As is the case with many schools, the law school may, for example close for part of the day (e.g. “Two hours late – no classes before 10 AM).

Make good choices based on safety

Because the classifications MnDOT uses are moving targets and the metro area is large, what we see in Saint Paul can sometimes differ a great deal from weather in another part of the metro area or in outstate areas. Given the long distance some students travel, students need to use good judgment when making a decision about traveling to campus. Even if the law school is open, it may be in the best interest of a student to avoid traveling because of weather conditions in his or her area or in the area that needs to be traveled through to get to campus.

Some faculty members might also be faced with making individual decisions about whether they can make it to the law school due to weather conditions.We will do our best to notify students via e-mail when we learn of a faculty member who will not be able to make it to campus but we are not always able to accomplish this in a timely fashion.

Communicating our decision

Our efforts to communicate closings will include:

• Text Message Service via e2Campus
• WCCO TV – Channel 4
• KSTP-TV Channel 5
• 830 WCCO Radio
• E-mail
• Posting to the law school website
• Mitchell Hamline main switchboard at 651-227-9171 or Toll Free 1-888-962-5529 (option 3 for Weather Information)

Helpful snow plowing information from the City of Saint Paul

Featuring email and/or phone list notification options and the snow emergency regulations.

The decision to close the law school due to weather conditions is not a decision we take lightly. Even when we can make the decision well before the class day begins closing the law school creates substantial inconvenience for many people. In the event a class or class days are cancelled, the reading days on the academic calendar will be used to make up classes. In the event the law school closes on an exam day, the law school will attempt to announce new dates and times for the exams that were to be administered within 24 hours of the law school reopening.