In the event of a short-term closure of all or part of the campus due to weather or other emergencies, notifications will be sent via the Campus Emergency Alert System, and the campus will operate with limited services. Updates will also be posted on the COTC website.

Campus Closure

When campus operations are limited due to inclement weather or other emergencies, all offices and classes at all COTC campuses will operate remotely:

• Campus will remain open with limited essential services. Only essential staff are to report to campus.
• Nonessential staff should not report to campus and should plan to work from home, where possible, and remain available during normal business hours.
• Campus in-person classes are cancelled, however, all instructors are encouraged to hold virtual synchronous classes, where feasible. Classes scheduled to meet online will occur as planned. Faculty are to notify students of alternative teaching methods when in-person class meetings are cancelled. Alternative teaching methods can include virtual, synchronous, class meetings or asynchronous activities, including but not limited to videos, podcasts, supplemental readings or discussion posts. In situations where synchronous instruction is not feasible, asynchronous activities are encouraged. It is at the discretion of the instructor as to which alternative method of teaching will occur when in-person classes have been cancelled. We ask instructors to be as flexible as possible with students.
• Students participating in practicums, internships, student teaching or other experiential learning are expected to follow the program’s policies which can be found in the program handbook.
• COTC students should check in with their faculty for guidance.

Delayed Opening

If a campus opening is delayed, students are expected to report to their respective classes where they would normally be at the time campus reopens (e.g., if COTC delays opening until 10 a.m., a student in an in-person class scheduled from 9-11 a.m. would be expected to report to class at 10 a.m.).

Staff will report at the specified opening time.

Conditions for Limited Campus Operations

The safety of students, faculty and staff is the top priority. If COTC has not issued an official notice of limited campus operations or delayed opening, students are expected to exercise their judgment in determining whether to attend classes. Students are accountable for any material and assignments missed during an absence without an official closure or delay. When COTC is open, vacation time will be used by employees who choose to stay at home or are unable to travel to their campus work location.

The decision to move to limited campus operations or cancel in-person classes in the event of severe weather is made using guidelines that are, by design, very flexible. There is no absolute temperature, snowfall or other specific hazard that triggers limited on-campus operations. Many groups provide information and recommendations through the Department of Public Safety to campus leadership. Campus officials also monitor the latest forecasts from the National Weather Service. Some factors taken into consideration in the decision to cancel in-person classes and/or move to limited operations:

• If a Level 1 or 2 Snow Emergency is declared COTC Newark will make every effort to remain open.
• If a Level 3 Snow Emergency is declared in Licking, Knox or Coshocton counties, COTC on-campus operations will be limited in that location and in-person classes will be canceled (moved to remote, where appropriate).