Inclement Weather Policy

Lenoir-Rhyne may change its operating status during and surrounding inclement weather.

We have a prescribed method for evaluating and communicating these changes to our staff, faculty, students and the public.

The university is committed to the safety of students, faculty, staff and campus visitors and prioritizes maintaining operational consistency and efficiency when a change in operating status is warranted.

The decision to cancel classes, close the university, cancel or postpone university-sponsored programs or activities is based on the overall concern for the safety of the university community and continuity of services and support for residential students.

Changes to Operating Status

Changes to university operating status will be disseminated via the Lenoir-Rhyne website, university email, LR Alert (RAVE notification system) and local media. Whenever possible, the expected reopening time and/or date will be communicated with the closing information through these channels.

Decisions on university closures and/or delays generally are made by 5 a.m.

  • Hickory, Asheville & Columbia Campuses

    In some instances, inclement weather may have different impacts on each Lenoir-Rhyne University campus.

    Students, faculty and staff at each campus should continuously monitor university communication channels during and surrounding periods of inclement weather for announcements of changes to normal campus operations, including campus closings or delays.

  • Safe Travel During Inclement Weather

    Supervisors should be understanding and flexible with an individual’s needs when the university is open, delayed or closed during inclement weather, especially if a faculty or staff member has a long commute to campus. A faculty or staff member who considers it unsafe to travel or has unexpected family care responsibilities such as a local school closing should use his or her judgment regarding travel.

    Commuting students should exercise good judgment in deciding whether to travel to campus and are encouraged not to do so when conditions might threaten their safety. It is fully the responsibility of commuter students facing this situation to promptly contact their professors to indicate the reason for their absence and to request assistance concerning course materials pertinent to keeping current with the class.

  • Essential Service Staff

    When normal university operations are disrupted due to weather, certain essential employees are still needed on campus to support areas such as campus security and safety, dining, housing, health services, utilities and information technology infrastructure and services.

    Units should identify their essential services and employees (or employee categories) who may be asked to provide those services within their respective business continuity plans. Provide each employee with an opportunity to discuss any issues or concerns, and develop contingency plans to deliver essential services with a reduced number of employees.

  • Work Commutes

    If a county or municipality announces that you should “avoid unnecessary travel” (travel to and from work is considered necessary travel) and there isn’t any accompanying change to the university operating status, employees should make reasonable efforts to report to work as usual but are advised to avoid undue risks in traveling.

    If a municipality or county announces that motorists are prohibited from driving on all or some of the roads, employees are not expected to violate those rules to come to work.

    Employees who are scheduled to work, but who do not work due to personal weather-related travel conditions when the university is open, may charge the time to health and personal leave or vacation.