Ground with snow looking at Bob Evans hall in background

Inclement Weather Guidelines

Important Information

  1. When the University is closed due to inclement weather or emergencies, the only personnel required to report are Food Service, Housekeeping, Maintenance, Grounds, and Campus Police. The personnel required to report should attempt to arrive at the University at their normally scheduled start time; however, they should exercise good judgment in determining their ability to report.
  2. When the University opening is delayed, personnel will not be required to report for work until the time specified except for those personnel listed above. Any delay will commence from 8:00 a.m. Therefore, if school is delayed for two hours, administrative offices will open at 10:00 a.m. All classes that begin before 10:00 a.m. will be canceled, with the exception of classes that run beyond 11am. Any class that begins before 10am and runs beyond 11am will begin at 10am. (For example, a course that typically meets 8:30am-12:50pm, would meet from 10am to 12:50pm.)   Please consult your faculty members with questions about your specific courses. 
  3. When classes only are canceled, all administrative staff and hourly support personnel are to report for work at their regularly scheduled times.
  4. The McArthur Center will close when Vinton County Schools close. In the event of a VCPS delay or early dismissal, the McArthur Center will operate as normal unless specifically determined at that time. 
  5. The Meigs Center and Jackson Center will operate on the same schedule as the main campus unless the weather determines a specific need at those locations.
  6. The Blue Ash Center will close when Sycamore Community Schools are closed, and the Salem Center will close when Salem City Schools are closed. However, because MSN students work with patients as part of their Curriculum Practicum Training (CPT), Rio will not cancel any CPT obligations students have due to inclement weather.


No one should drive to class during inclement weather if they believe that their specific driving route is dangerous and hazardous to themselves and their passengers. This may differ from person to person since students and employees may be driving from various distances and on a variety of road surfaces. However, with this absence comes responsibility and accountability. Both students and employees must contact their instructors and their supervisors if they cannot attend class or work due to hazardous weather. 

When will you be notified of a closing or delayed opening?

  • The decision to either delay or close due to inclement weather will be made as soon as conditions warrant, but no later than 6:30 a.m.  
  • If the initial decision is to delay but changing conditions warrant closing, that decision will be made by 8:00 a.m.
  • The decision to cancel night classes will be made by 3:30 p.m.

How will you be notified?

  • An alert banner will be displayed across the top of Rio's website
  • Students, faculty, and staff will be officially notified via their Rio email accounts and Nixle. 
    • Click here to subscribe, set up Nixle, and receive your local area and university updates.  Once you are finished with this process,
      • Click “Settings”
      • Click “Search for more Agencies, Community Groups & Neighbors”
      • Type “University of Rio Grande Campus Police” into the search box
      • Click “Go”
      • Check the box where it says “Subscribe to the University of Rio Grande Campus Police”
      • Click the “Subscribe to Selected Agencies” 
      • You can also add your zip code and subscribe to local alerts as well.
  • Students, faculty, and staff can also find updates via the official University of Rio Grande social media accounts.