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BOSTON UNIVERSITY
EMERGENCY CLOSINGS
2007 - 2008

1. In the event that weather or other emergency conditions warrant the all-day closing or delayed opening of the University, announcements will be made between the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on the following radio and television stations:


WBUR 90.9 FM
WRKO 680 AM
WBZ 1030 AM

WBZ-TV Channel 4
WCVB-TV Channel 5
WHDH-TV Channel 7


The above radio and television stations are the only stations authorized to announce University closings and delayed openings.*

Calls should NOT be made to the University Police, radio, or television stations to verify a University closing. Calls may be made to 353-SNOW (353-7669) to hear a recorded message regarding the closing or delayed opening of Boston University. Calls may also be made to the University switchboard (353-2000).

Closing information will also be posted on the BU home page at www.bu.edu. WBUR will post notices on their site at www.wbur.org.

2. During the day, the decision to shorten the work schedule due to adverse weather conditions will normally be made by 3:00 p.m. On such occasions, the Office of Human Resources will notify all Vice Presidents, Deans, and Directors so that they may inform their employees.

3. Employees in essential services must report as scheduled. Essential services include, but are not limited to, University Police, Facilities Management and Planning, Mail Services, University Switchboard, and the Student Infirmary.

* Generally, the Boston University Medical Center has a "no close" policy and remains open during emergency closings. If the Boston University Medical Center is to be closed, or its schedule altered due to emergency conditions, a separate announcement will be broadcast on the above stations.

This notice supersedes all others dated prior to November 2007.

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Following is information related to emergency closings for employees in bargaining unit positions (excerpted from bargaining unit agreements):

Local 2324 U.A.W.
ARTICLE 50
UNIVERSITY CLOSING

In the event that conditions warrant the closing of the University or shortening of the workday, the decision of the designated University official will be conveyed to all schools and departments by the Office of Personnel in accordance with the procedure below:

  1. During the day, the decision to shorten the work schedule will normally be made by 3:00 p.m. Non-essential evening work will also be canceled at the time notice is given to shorten the work schedule. When the University is to close early, the Office of Personnel will notify the following offices in order for them to pass the information on to their respective employees: All Vice Presidents, Deans, Directors, and the Director of Physical Plant. The University telephone switchboard will also be notified for informational purposes.
  2. The decision to cancel work scheduled in the morning will be made by 6:00 a.m. If work is canceled, the designated University official will notify major television and radio stations; the University telephone switchboard; and the Director of Physical Plant. Employees shall receive their regular rates of pay for time missed due to University weather closing. Employees shall receive their regular rates of pay for time missed due to University closing caused by other exigencies until they are designated for layoff. Employees required to work during University closings will normally receive compensatory time off with pay equal to one-and-one-half (1-1/2) times the actual hours worked. However, at Management's discretion, employees may receive pay equal to one-and-one-half times the base rate for hours actually worked during such closing, in lieu of compensatory time off, but such pay, when made, will not be pyramided or duplicated with any other premium or overtime pay.
  3. It is expected that during winter months, employees will allow themselves extra time to arrive at work on schedule. Under unusually difficult weather circumstances, however, a grace period, not to exceed the first two (2) hours of an employee's workday, may be allowed following the beginning of the workday.
  4. Employees who are assigned to work on the first and third shifts will be notified on their next regularly scheduled work day if an emergency closing has been declared.
  5. University closing provides an authorized paid absence from work to those non-essential employees who were scheduled to report to work that day. Therefore, an employee who is on approved vacation leave when a University closing is declared is not eligible for the University closing day(s).

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LOCAL 888
ARTICLE 40
UNIVERSITY CLOSING

In the event that weather conditions warrant the closing of the University or shortening of the workday, the decision of the designated University official will be conveyed to all schools and departments by the Office of Personnel in accordance with the procedure below:

  1. During the day the decision to shorten the work schedule will normally be made by 3:00 p.m. Non-essential evening work will also be canceled at the time notice is given to shorten the work schedule. When the University is to close early, the Office of Personnel will notify the following offices in order for them to pass the information on to their respective employees: All Vice Presidents, Deans, Directors, and the Director of Physical Plant. The University telephone switchboard will also be notified for informational purposes.
  2. The decision to cancel work scheduled in the morning will be made by 6:00 a.m. If work is canceled, the designated University official will notify major television and radio stations, the University telephone switchboard, and the Director of Physical Plant. Employees shall receive their regular rates of pay for the time missed due to University weather closings and for time missed due to University closing caused by other exigencies until they are designated for layoff. Employees who are required to work during University closings shall be granted compensatory time off with pay, equal to one and one-half (1 1/2) times the actual hours worked. Such time off must be taken within four (4) months of the day on which it was earned, at a time approved by his/her department head.
  3. It is expected that during winter months employees will allow themselves extra time to arrive at work on schedule. Under unusually difficult weather circumstances, however, a grace period, not to exceed the first two (2) hours of an employee's workday, may be allowed following the beginning of the workday.

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LOCAL 615, S.E.I.U.
ARTICLE 30
MISCELLANEOUS

Employees on the Charles River Campus who are required to work when the Charles River Campus is closed, or the workday on that campus is shortened because of severe weather conditions, shall receive compensatory time off with pay equal to the number of actual hours worked during the closing. Employees who are required to work when the entire Medical Campus (School of Medicine, School of Public Health, and the Goldman School of Dental Medicine) is officially closed or when the work day of the entire Medical Campus is officially shortened due to severe weather conditions, shall receive compensatory time off with pay equal to the hours actually worked by the employee during the period of the official closure.

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