Inclement Weather Guidance for the 2020-2021 Academic Year
Due to inclement weather, University of Maryland, College Park will be closed on Thursday, February 18, 2021. Telework is canceled for this day. All in-person and remote instruction and operations are canceled. Administrative leave will be authorized for all regular and contingent II employees. Essential personnel who report on snow days must report as directed by their supervisor.
Updated February 17, 2021 [Original post December 15, 2020]
Dear campus community,
Because we are working and learning differently than we have in the past, it is important that expectations are clear during inclement weather. This memorandum contains guidance for both those working and learning on campus and remotely. It offers guidance on academic activities, including classes, and will assist employees and supervisors in determining whether leave is appropriate in the case of early, delayed or temporary suspension of certain university operations.
Updates regarding UMD’s closed status, as well as other schedule changes, will be announced through various channels, including:
- UMD homepage
- Twitter (@President_Pines, @UMDRightNow and @UofMaryland)
- UMD Alerts (sign up for text alerts at alert.umd.edu)
- UMD Snowline (x5-SNOW or 301.405.7669)
- Local news outlets via the web, TV and radio
Online and In-Person Classes
In the event of inclement weather, online classes will continue as scheduled. The few in-person classes scheduled should use alternative meeting options rather than meeting in person; and students should expect to hear from their instructors with details on how their classes will meet.
Employees Able to Work Remotely
The University expects faculty, staff, and students who are able to work remotely to continue to follow standard protocol for a normal business day. This includes employees who are currently working a flexible/alternating work schedule (i.e. some days remote, some days on campus). Employees working remotely are not eligible for Administrative Leave under these circumstances. If an employee who can work remotely is not able to do so for personal reasons, they may choose to use annual or personal leave for that time period.
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Note an exception has been applied for the Feb. 18 campus closure.
Essential Employees
Essential employees who are scheduled to work should report to work as directed by their supervisor. Consistent with University System of Maryland Policy, non-exempt Regular and Contingent 2 essential employees scheduled to physically work on campus during inclement weather events will receive compensatory time or additional pay in accordance with the employee's overtime payment status and relevant human resources policy on work hours and overtime.
Employees whose regularly scheduled work shift(s) did not include the period covered by the inclement weather event, and who were required to work during this time, will receive compensatory leave or additional pay for the hours worked in accordance with the employee's overtime payment status and relevant human resources policy on work hours and overtime.
Employees with No Work Available On Site and Unable to Telework
Essential employees who are not asked to report to work on campus, and those who are not able to telework and are not needed to work on-site for all or some of the hours they are typically scheduled to work will be awarded administrative leave for the affected time period.
Employees in a Leave Status
Employees scheduled for approved annual leave, sick leave, personal leave, compensatory leave, or approved leave without pay on on the date(s) of an inclement weather event are considered to be in a "prior leave status" and so are not covered by the provisions of this guidance; leave should be recorded as planned and scheduled.
Employees who, on the date(s) of an inclement weather event, are on any type of unpaid leave are considered to be in a "prior leave status" under applicable policy and are not covered by the provisions of this guidance.
Winter Weather Health Tips
During this winter season, please find this helpful visual reminder on winter weather tips to keep you safe and healthy!
Employees may contact the UHR Support Center (uhrconnect@umd.edu; 301.405.7575) with any questions about this guidance.
And, as always, remember your 4 Maryland healthy behaviors.
Sincerely,
Mary Ann Rankin
Senior Vice President and Provost
Jewel M. Washington
Assistant Vice President for Human Resources
