What You Need to Know About Severe Weather Procedures

With winter on its way, it is time for a reminder of Vancouver Island University’s Severe Weather Closure policy.

Please read the following message carefully to familiarize yourself with this important procedure:

• A decision will be made by 6:30 am on whether or not the campus(es) and facilities experiencing severe weather will be closed with morning classes and exams cancelled. 

• If the decision to close is made, the first message announcing a closure will be sent out by 6:30 am through VIU’s Safety App, followed by messages through VIU’s social media platforms, email, the VIU website and on local radio stations (see below for full details).

• An update will be announced by 10:30 am on whether or not campuses and facilities will remain closed or will reopen so employees can come in to work during the afternoon and students can attend classes and exams that begin at 12:30 pm or later. This announcement could also include a decision to close any affected campuses or facilities if weather is worsening.

• A decision will be announced by 2:30 pm on whether or not campuses and facilities will remain closed or will reopen so employees can come in to work during the evening (if they normally would) and students can attend classes and exams that begin at 5:30 pm or later. Again, this communication could also include a decision to close if weather is worsening.

The VIU Safety App will have the most up to date information. Updates will also be posted on: 

1. VIU’s Safety App
2. VIU’s Twitter accounts: @viunews; @VIUniversity
3. VIU’s Facebook pages: www.facebook.com/viuniversity; www.facebook.com/viunews
4. Local Radio Stations
   1. The Wave 102.3 FM – Nanaimo; The Wolf 106.9 FM – Nanaimo; CHLY 101.7 FM – Nanaimo; Beach 88.5 FM – Parksville; Juice 89.7 FM -- Cowichan and Duncan; The Peak 93.3 FM – Port Alberni; CBC 90.5 FM – Victoria; SUN 95.7 FM – Powell River; Coast 91.7 CKAY FM – Sechelt
5. Email: employee emails; student emails
6. VIU’s website banner: www.viu.ca
7. Signs posted on campus

Although every effort will be made to communicate these messages by 6:30 am on the day of the closure, there may be times when weather conditions change quickly and a decision to close the campus will need to be made after 6:30 am. Stay tuned to the communications channels above for up-to-date information.

A decision to close or not to close is made based on the safety of the grounds of VIU’s campuses and facilities, taking into consideration a number of different factors. Please see Severe Weather Procedures for more information on how decisions are made. 

Finally, it’s important to remember that there are many micro-climates on Vancouver Island and region. 

This means the campus might be safe but other areas are not. Because of this, VIU’s employees and students are expected to use their best judgment based on conditions in their areas when deciding if they are able to come in if the campus is open. If they are not, accommodations will be made for missed work and exams – students can speak to their instructors about this; employees can speak to their direct supervisor.

Thank you all for your understanding and cooperation as we work to manage the complex process of campus and facility closures due to severe weather. 

Please email Facility@viu.ca with any questions.