3.1 The University will continue to operate during all scheduled working hours unless a situation significantly increases the difficulty and/or risk to faculty, staff or students from remaining on University grounds or in University facilities.

3.2 The primary criteria in determining whether to cancel classes or close a part of the University will be the University's ability to continue safely to offer classes, tutorials and labs, and the ability of faculty, staff and students to travel safely to and from the University. University Administrators may close the campus if it is deemed unsafe to remain open. In exceptional circumstances, the University will extend its normal hours of operation to provide food and shelter for people unable to leave. When an event requires a coordinated response, the EOC will be activated.



3.3 The decision to cancel classes, or close the University will be made by the President after consulting with the designated Vice President or Executive Director at each campus.

3.4 Decisions to cancel classes, postpone examinations or close the University may be made separately and may affect each campus differently. During regular hours of operation the University will strive to remain open; however, classes and events may be cancelled to prevent students and others from travelling to campus.

3.5 Postponed examinations will be rescheduled or alternative arrangements made.



3.6 Units responsible for organizing University events are responsible for assessing the risks and deciding whether an event should proceed or be cancelled based on the safety of participants, the operation of utility services and life safety systems. They will also be responsible for communicating their decision to event participants, Campus Security, Facilities Services or Operations and University Communications.

3.7 In some situations the University will need to keep certain facilities open even when classes and events are cancelled, examinations postponed or the University closed. A list of departments and services that may be required to provide critical services appears in Appendix II). It can be anticipated that some or all of the employees in such departments may be asked to remain at work or to report for work to provide emergency services. Under emergency conditions, particular attention may need to be paid to certain research operations, including Animal Care.

3.8 Senior administrators are expected to remain available during emergency situations. Supervisors who are away or unable to get to work should ensure that someone on-site is appointed to act with the authority and responsibility needed to provide direction for the employees they supervise. The supervisor should communicate the name of the person in the acting role to both the employees and his/her supervisor. Supervisors, will give due consideration and provide accommodation for employees with legitimate needs.



3.9 University employees will be compensated as follows when a partial or full closure of the University is implemented under this policy:

