Winter Weather Temporary Closing/Early Dismissal

There are no exact guidelines for college closing in terms of inches of snow, since many factors including time of day, total snow fall, wind, visibility, temperature, etc. all affect this decision.  When Iowa Lakes Community College is open and conditions in the area warrant staying at home, each student and staff member must personally evaluate the weather conditions in their immediate area and decide how serious the situation is.  No student or staff member is expected to jeopardize their personal well being or safety to attend classes or work if weather conditions are marginal. 

Should bad weather or other emergencies necessitate closing the College or delaying start of classes, the decision should be made by 5:30 a.m., with announcements given to broadcast by 6 a.m. for daytime classes.  The decision for canceling classes for evening should generally be made by 2:30 p.m., with announcements distributed to broadcast by 3 p.m. (See list) Because of the diverse weather conditions throughout our area and fast moving weather systems cancelations may be made later than the recommended time frame.  If college campus closes, all classes and events occurring on that campus will be closed.   

Anytime classes are delayed, the College will determine an appropriate open time based on weather conditions. 

EMPLOYEES AND STUDENTS ARE REQUESTED NOT TO ARRIVE MUCH BEFORE THE RECOMMENDED OPENING TIME. IN ORDER TO ALLOW MAINTENANCE TIME TO REMOVE SNOW AND TO SAND WHEN ICY CONDITIONS EXIST. 

Anytime classes are canceled, the above applies to all Campuses and all Continuing Education classes. 

PRIOR TO OPENING! 

Students and employees will be notified via radio: 

We will make every effort to include this on our Web site: www.iowalakes.edu.

Employees and students may also sign-up for the ConnectEd notification system.  An email invitation will be sent at the beginning of the fall and spring semester to new students and employees.  Weather alerts and other emergency communication will be sent via ConnectEd. 

To sign in to the ConnectEd system you will use your Iowa Lakes email and your Datatel ID number.

Text messages:  You need to opt-in to receive a text message on your cell phone, watch for a text message from Connect-Ed . The confirmation message will read:

Iowa Lakes Alert: You are now confirmed to receive alerts from us. More info text reply "HELP" or "STOP” to opt-out. You'll see 23177 as the text messaging number sending you the confirmation message. Please save this number and program it as "Iowa Lakes Alert." This number will be the official source of Iowa Lakes Alert text messages. 

Update emergency contact data:  If you want to change your emergency contact information, log in to     https://portal.blackboardconnected.com/8059201 and click on Update my personal information/Alert tab. You're the only person who can update this data. Please review it carefully.

Emails:    Emails will be delivered from iowalakesalert@iowalakes.edu 

**Personnel who are responsible for other related events (Continuing Education, Athletics, Music, Talent Search, etc.) are reminded to notify their students/participants at the first class session that when the college is closed, their activity will not be held.  It is also a good practice to remind students/participants of this policy throughout the term.  On rare occasions, this may not cover every circumstance and those individuals who are sponsoring major activities (involving 50 or more people) may contact Jane Campbell to have the event considered for inclusion in either the radio announcements or Web site announcement. If you are unable to contact Jane in person please call Carol Peaslee. 

DURING THE DAY! 

Once the decision has been made to cancel classes and close the college, employees will be notified by broadcast message on the telephone system and by the ConnectEd messaging system.  In addition, the administrative assistants at all locations will post notes on doors and bulletin boards concerning the closing. 

1. Designated maintenance, custodial, and food service employees are considered “essential” personnel and will report to work on a selected basis.  Supervisors are responsible for designating who is “essential” and notifying them.

2. WEEKEND COLLEGE CLASSES:  If weekend classes need to be delayed or canceled due to bad weather, announcements will be communicated on Saturday morning by 6 a.m. on local radio stations.  Campus Deans will make this determination and notify the media. Personnel who are responsible for other related college events on weekends are encouraged to remind their students/participants that when the college is closed due to inclement weather, their class will be canceled on that day.  If further assistance is needed, please speak personally with a Campus Dean.  For non-college events – check ahead with the sponsoring organization.  When inclement weather forces cancellation of classes, all college facilities will be closed (except the Emmetsburg Smith Wellness Center.)

3. THE WELLNESS CENTER in Emmetsburg will operate independently from the rest of the College and will make their own announcements regarding closures for adverse weather.  Closure announcements will be made on KUYY-FM and KICD.