Severe weather closure notifications for the 2024-25 year

As today’s windstorm just reminded us, severe weather season is here. 

This means from time to time, weather can disrupt campus operations. Before it does, please take a moment to review the updated severe weather notification procedures below. 

Please take the following actions:

1. Review the Severe Weather Procedures.

2. Download the VIU Safety app and enable notifications for the app in your phone’s Settings. Announcements about campus/facility closures due to severe weather will be pushed out in the following order:

• The VIU Safety App is updated first.
• VIU’s website is updated next: www.viu.ca. Look for the banner notification at the top of the screen.
• Email: An email is sent to all employee and student emails. Note: There can be a delay of up to one hour with VIU’s bulk emailing system; please rely on the Safety App and website for the most up-to-date information.
• Updates will also be posted on:
• VIU’s X account: @VIUniversity
• VIU’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/viuniversity

3. Please note the communication times have changed this year. The decision about closure for morning classes will be made by 6:30 am as usual. An update will be announced by 11:30 am on whether or not campuses will remain closed or will reopen for classes starting at 1 pm or later. 

4. Closures outside of the hours listed: Although every effort is made to communicate closures by 6:30 am on the day of the closure, there may be times when weather conditions are still fluid or uncertain and a decision to close the campus cannot be made by 6:30 am. 

5. Be aware of microclimates. VIU’s employees and students are expected to use their best judgment based on conditions in their areas when deciding if they are able to come in if the campus is open. With the ability to work and study remotely, many of us may be able to continue to work and study when our campuses and facilities close due to severe weather. 

• Managers: Please meet with your employees to set expectations for severe weather days in advance. This may include items such as taking portable workstations such as laptops home on days with a questionable forecast.
• Employees: Please contact your manager to learn the expectations for severe weather days.
• Instructors: Please inform your students of your plans for severe weather days in advance.
• Students: Please check with your instructors to learn the expectations for severe weather days. 

6. Do not attempt to travel to a closed location until you have received confirmation that it has been reopened. A reminder that if we are not closing campuses on a day when there is a weather event, we will not communicate that we are remaining open.

7. Winter break: VIU will be closed December 23, 2024, to January 1, 2025, inclusive for winter break. VIU will reopen on January 2, 2025. As VIU campuses and locations are closed during the winter break, severe weather closure communications will NOT be sent during this period. As always, the library at the Nanaimo campus will be open with key card access (see library hours). You are urged to consider your safety if you choose to travel to campus to access the library during a severe weather event during the break.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we work to manage the complex process of campus and facility closures due to severe weather.