As cooler temperatures begin and as we get set to enter the winter season, we would like to remind the Humber community about our Severe Weather Closure procedures and the policy that governs the Unscheduled closure of Campus Buildings.
The Departments of Public Safety and Facilities Services regularly monitor active weather conditions and Environment Canada forecasts in an effort to inform the decision around emergency/unscheduled college closure due to weather. We also stay in contact with other area colleges and universities and monitor the public and catholic school boards, TTC, Go Transit and local Police to understand how they are responding to inclement weather conditions.
The decision to close the Orangeville or Lakeshore and North campuses including associated facilities (i.e. University of Guelph-Humber, Centre for Trades and Technology) due to weather is made with thoughtful consideration. The Senior Vice-President, Academic (or designate) makes the decision upon consultation with Public Safety and Facilities, and an assessment on the impact to safety.
Please note that it is the college’s expectation that students and employees will plan to arrive for classes and work as long as classes are scheduled and/or we remain open for normal business operations. Any individual student or employee who feels that it is unsafe to travel to campus may elect to stay home, even if the decision to remain open is made. The policy addresses how those personal decisions are handled.
Recognizing that weather conditions may change quickly, every effort will be made to reach a decision regarding on-campus class cancellation and/or college closure as early as possible. Whenever possible, these decisions will be made by 5:30 a.m. for daytime classes and 3:30 p.m. for evening classes. Once a day’s operations have commenced, a decision to suspend operations and/or cancel classes may be made at any time.
Closure decisions are communicated in a number of ways, including, but not limited to:
- Alert posted on humber.ca
- Messages posted on Humber’s main Facebook and Twitter
- Advisory sent to GTA and Orangeville media outlets
- Message on Humber’s main phone line
- Notices posted on exterior doors
- Message(s) distributed via Humber Alert (Humber’s mass communications system)*
*Please register for Humber Alert at humber.bbcportal.com to receive emergency alerts, including closure decisions.
If you have any questions, please refer to the policy and procedure documents or contact me at rob.kilfoyle@humber.ca or ext. 4417. Please consult with your direct manager if you have questions related to your specific area or department. Wishing everyone a safe and enjoyable winter season.
Rob Kilfoyle, CPP
Director, Public Safety and Emergency Management
