The mild winter so far this season has not yielded many weather challenges, but as spring term begins with the potential for more serious snowfall to occur, it is worth revisiting how we decide to close the college due to weather.
Because we are a community college, our decision tree differs from that used at a residential college, like SUNY Brockport or RIT or Nazareth. Some key demographic characteristics of our students that distinguish them from their four-year college and university peers:
• They commute. About 40% of our students use public transportation; the remainder drive or rideshare.
• They often have primary care-taking duties for children, grandchildren and/or siblings.
• They usually don't have the social or financial capital to make alternate arrangements for child care or transportation.
• They often live in places more immediately impacted by power outages and may also see delays in plowing and/or restoration of services.
MCC’s commitment is to advise the College community by 11:00 pm if we will be closed the next day and to make a call on closure during the day as soon as possible to allow travel home. There is always the possibility that a storm suddenly worsens overnight, causing us to make a late call to close, so if you have any doubt, check local news sources, the MCC web site and social media channels, or look for an MCC Alert <
https://www.monroecc.edu/depts/pstd/mcc-alert-system/> message.
I have learned through the years—in hurricanes, storms, ice, and snow—that whether the decision is to stay open or close, it will be questioned by someone. So, having as much information as possible to guide and explain the decision-making process is important. Here are some of the questions we ask, in no particular order:
• Is there a declared state of emergency? Does it include travel restrictions?
• Is travel likely to be hazardous regardless of restrictions? What is the condition of the main routes to the campus/es? Can we keep our lots cleared?
• Will public transportation be running? If so, for how long?
• Are there power outages impacting the college? Our students and faculty? What can emergency management share about the time to restoration? Has the college experienced facilities damage?
• Have the public schools closed? All or just a handful?
• What time is it? Will we have a sufficient window to empty the campus before a weather event or is it better to shelter in place? Will students/faculty/staff have sufficient time to make alternate arrangements for family responsibilities if the college stays open or reopens?
• Will we get enough people at the college to justify staying open or reopening? How stressful is this situation for our students, faculty and staff?
I hope that the remainder of the season holds few weather surprises and that we never need to ask any of these questions or consider closing the College. However, if we do, you now have a better understanding of what drives this decision.
In the meantime, let’s all cross our fingers for an early spring!
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