Supervisors determine work needs during campus closures and communicate expectations to employees. Employees should contact their supervisor if they have questions about whether they are expected to work.
Supervisors should review the applicable employee handbook for guidance on work expectations, Flexible Work Agreements, essential services, administrative leave and previously approved leave during a campus closure.
Full closures
When a full-day closure is issued, if an employee is currently working on an approved Flexible Work Agreement work should continue as normal unless using annual leave. In-person classes will be canceled. For employees not on a Flexible Work Agreement and not identified as essential services should contact your supervisor for details on work assignments. Essential services, including those for campus residents and critical departmental needs, will continue to operate. For safety reasons, employees who are not involved in essential services or providing services to on-campus residents should not come to campus during closures.
It is important to remain flexible with students, faculty, and staff, as campus closures affect everyone differently. Faculty will communicate with their students and post updates on Canvas regarding class expectations. Department directors and managers will communicate with staff to manage critical needs and plan for handling work after campus reopens. Students, faculty, and staff are responsible for completing any classroom content or work duties that were missed during the closure at a later date.
At the discretion of the supervisor’s approval, employees not required to report to work should record administrative leave with a comment indicating campus closure. Employees who had already requested annual or sick leave before the closure was announced will still be paid according to their pre-approved leave. Retroactive changes to leave calendars are not permitted.
Partial closures
In the event of a partial closure due to a delayed opening or early closure, most classes and campus departments will also have delayed in-person starts or early closures, unless specified in a Flexible Work Agreement. Essential services, including those for campus residents and critical departmental functions, will continue to operate.
As with full closures, faculty will communicate with their students and post updates on Canvas regarding class expectations. Department directors and managers will work with staff to manage critical departmental needs in response to the delayed opening or early closure.
Non-closures during inclement weather
If the campus remains open during inclement weather, Fort Lewis College encourages students, faculty, and staff to use their best judgment regarding their ability to safely travel to campus. Students should communicate with their faculty, faculty with their department chairs, and staff with their supervisors if they believe they cannot safely reach campus.
Loss of work time due to personal choice during severe weather, when campus remains open, is considered an absence. Employees should consult with their supervisors about the proper way to report this time.