It is important to note that the Ashland University administration acknowledges that the closing of campus or the canceling of classes due to weather conditions is not a perfect science and that often times weather conditions change after a decision has been made or that weather conditions vary depending on geographic location.
For this reason, the AU administration believes that students need to use common sense in making a decision whether or not to travel to campus for classes. The University recognizes that the student is solely responsible for making the final decision regarding travel.
Options for Obtaining Closing Information
AU and ATS students as well as employees and faculty members who are teaching classes on the Ashland or ATS campus or at one of AU or ATS centers have several options for obtaining information on the cancellation of classes, the closing of offices or the closing of centers due to the weather. This information should be available through the options listed below no later than 7 a.m. for morning classes and no later than 3:30 p.m. for evening classes. These options include:
a) the AU website, www.ashland.edu, will provide class cancellation and closing information across the top of the home page and across the top of every page on the Ashland University website. The message will be clickable so additional information can be provided.
b) radio and TV stations: listen or watch for closings on radio and TV stations in the area where the campus or center is located. Ashland’s radio station, WNCO, also has a website www.wncofm.com that lists all local closings.
c) the CampusShield app: emergency alerts will be sent to students, faculty and staff communicating any and all closings or class cancellations.
d) portal announcement: a message will be posted to the faculty/staff and student portals communicating the closings or class cancellations.
Plans for Delays, Cancellations or Closings
Any decision regarding work or classes in the morning will be made no later than 6:30 a.m. A morning announcement will refer to plans A, B or D, while a decision to cancel evening classes will be made no later than 3 p.m. and will reference Plan C. For any announcement, please check the Ashland website, www.ashland.edu, as the message regarding a decision will be posted at the top of the homepage.
Plan A – Classes/Offices Opening Delayed
One-Hour Delay
When there is a one-hour delay on Monday, Wednesday or Friday, 8 a.m. classes are canceled and 9 a.m. classes meet as scheduled. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8 a.m. classes are canceled and 9:25 a.m. classes meet as scheduled. The rest of the day’s classes meet as scheduled. For a one-hour delay, University offices will open at 9 a.m.
Two-Hour Delay
When there is a two-hour delay on Monday, Wednesday or Friday, 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. classes are canceled; 10 a.m. classes meet as scheduled. On Tuesday and Thursday, 8 a.m. classes are canceled and 9:25 a.m. classes begin at 10 a.m. and go until 10:40 a.m. The rest of the day’s classes meet as scheduled. For a two-hour delay, University offices will open at 10 a.m.
Four-Hour Delay
When there is a four-hour delay on Monday, Wednesday or Friday, 8 a.m., 9 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. classes are canceled; 12 noon classes meet as scheduled. On Tuesday and Thursday, 8 a.m., 9:25 a.m. and 10:50 a.m. classes are canceled and 12:15 p.m. classes meet as scheduled. For a four-hour delay, University offices will open at 1 p.m.
Plan B – Classes Canceled
Day classes have been canceled, but University offices are open. Employees should use their own judgment about travel.
Plan C - Evening Classes Canceled – On Campus and/or Off-Campus Centers
Current or developing weather conditions may necessitate the closing of evening classes on the Ashland campus and/or at one of the off-campus centers. The decision to close evening classes will be made no later than 3 p.m. This will provide enough time to get the announcement out to the public prior to students or faculty members traveling for class.
Plan D – University Closed
Under the most extreme weather conditions, the campus would be closed. When this happens, only essential operations personnel, previously designated by their managers to work during a weather emergency, should attempt to report to work.