School closing information available through several venues

Winter weather often means snow, and sometimes lots of it, making for challenging driving conditions and longer commute times. Occasionally, excess snowfall results in Oakland University declaring an emergency closing.

OU will announce an emergency closing under extreme conditions including severe weather, natural disaster, major utility failure or other public safety issue. During emergency closings, all scheduled classes and special events are canceled; all university offices are closed; and official university operations cease, though specific exceptions may be authorized as directed by appropriate university officials.

Students, faculty and staff are advised to refer to the following sources for information on official university closings and the cancelation of special events, including athletic events:

• The Oakland University Web site at www.oakland.edu. 

• The Oakland University school closing hotline at (248) 370-2000. A tape-recorded message will be carried on the system, which can handle 52 calls at one time. 

• The following TV and radio stations:
WJBK-TV FOX 2
WDIV-TV Channel 4
WXYZ-TV Channel 7
WJR AM 760
WWJ AM 950

The university community is asked not to telephone the Oakland University Police Department or switchboard for school closing information. Also, the university will not use its text message alert or broadcast e-mail systems to communicate closing information. Details on when the alert system will be used is available on the Emergency Preparedness Web site.

During excess snowfalls, extension center classes will not be held if either the university is closed or the school district in which the center resides has canceled classes. Students should monitor the sources of information listed above to learn whether classes are canceled at OU's extension centers.

For more information about weather-related closings, please refer to the university closing policy included on the Administrative Policies and Procedures Web site.