Leave Administration

The primary reason why the campus may be closed is for safety. Closing the campus reduces the number of employees and students on the roads during periods of weather when it may not be safe to travel, especially longer distances. Closing the campus also allows the University to clear roads, parking lots and sidewalks without working around cars.  

The President and his designee(s) determine inclement weather closures. These decisions are frequently made in consultation with the Provost and Vice President for Finance and Administration.  

Employees in the following positions support critical campus operations:

1. Student Housing;
2. Dining options (may reduce business hours as needed);
3. Campus Police;
4. Facilities Services;
5. Research laboratories (at faculty discretion);
6. Student Wellness (may reduce business hours as needed); and
7. as otherwise designated by the President, Athletic Director, or any Vice President.  You should contact your direct supervisor if you have any questions as it relates to campus operations. 

If your position has been deemed to support critical campus operations and you don’t feel you can safely report to work, you should contact your direct supervisor to discuss the concerns and to determine if an accommodation can be made. 

The time frame for closure is determined on a case-by-case basis and can range from an hour's delay of the start of the workday, to early closure, to an entire day, or multiple days.  Always monitor University announcements on WSU Today and stay in communication with your supervisor.  

You should consult the University’s Timekeeping Reference Guide for more information regarding pay for leave and time worked during inclement weather.   

Faculty and Instructors are encouraged to make every effort to hold class remotely and communicate that decision via their course syllabus, WSU email or Blackboard to students. If an instructor cancels class, they are asked to immediately communicate with students.  

WSU’s Housing and Residence Life will remain open. Students who live in campus housing should visit the Dining Services website for available services and hours.   https://www.wichita.edu/student_life/housing/Diningservices.php  

Students who are employed by WSU should review the Employee FAQs above.