Procedure for Unscheduled Closings

Administrative Procedure 3.809

College Closing Policy

In the event of dangerous weather or other hazardous events that could place students, employees, or community members at risk, ECC must consider closing campus facilities. These circumstances may also include canceling academic classes and internal and external events and restricting access to the public. The decision to close campus facilities is always made with life safety as the primary objective and out of an abundance of caution. This procedure defines the process of closing campus facilities for up to three consecutive days (72 Hours).

College Closing Procedure

1. Making the Decision to Close: The College President or the Administrator in Charge can decide to close the college due to severe weather that may threaten the safety or welfare of the students or staff either on campus property or while traveling to and from campus.  

1. The decision to close the college will apply to all college locations, and all classes and activities will be canceled unless otherwise specified.
2. Departments, employees, and faculty do not have the authority to cancel events, classes, or other activities based on concerns outside of their department or work area without formal approval of the Campus Emergency Operations Center (CEOC).

2. Closings: To reduce the life safety risk, closings will be temporary and cannot exceed 3 days (72 hours). The length of time of the closing will be determined with each specific closing decision.

1. Closings may cover time beyond the length of the original hazard to open the campus safely. This time might be used for debris removal, snow removal, building checks, or any activity needed to ensure the campus is cleared of life safety risks. 
2. Closings exceeding three days (72 hours) will require a Declaration of Emergency from the College President nullifying this admin procedure.

3. Basis of Decision: Campus closure decisions are influenced by a variety of factors. The CEOC will be activated to:

1. Collect relevant information related to the closure decision. 
2. Analyze the collected information. 
3. Disseminate important updates regarding the closure. 
4. The Campus Emergency Operations Plan outlines the CEOC and Policy Group's information collection and decision-making processes.

4. Student Guidelines: Students should contact their professors and arrange assignment due dates and any changes due to the unscheduled closing. 

5. Faculty Guidelines: Faculty can cancel classes following standard procedures, department procedures, and the ECCFA contract. However, this should not be done for severe weather or other concerns beyond the class.

6. Weather-Related Closings Time of Decision: Given the ability to forecast possible weather effects, the college will try to close as soon as possible. However, the college will determine closing as soon as possible, as described in the decision guidelines below.  

Severe Weather Closure Decision Guidelines

Emergency Closure Communication Protocol

7. When a college closure or emergency situation arises, the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer (CMCO), in coordination with the President, Vice President of Business and Finance, Vice President of Teaching, Learning, and Student Development (TLSD), or the Administrator in Charge (designee), along with the Senior Director of Emergency Management, will prepare an official closure/emergency message. This message will be distributed using the following communication channels, in order of notification, based on the nature and scope of the emergency:

Emergency Closure Communication Flow – Order of Notification

ECC employees responsible for an outside agency on campus are expected to notify those agencies directly when there is a closing on campus. (ex: in-residence ensembles, KCT, Columbia College, etc.). 

This policy was last reviewed on 08/28/2025.