School Closure Policies & Procedures

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On rare occasions, classes may need to be canceled or moved to remote instruction due to adverse weather conditions or for other emergency reasons.

The vice president of academic operations will make the decision about in-person classes for the Newberg campus and Portland Center for daytime classes by 6:30 a.m. or 2:15 p.m. for evening classes. This applies to all days of the week, including Saturday. Decisions at the Redmond site will be made by the professor teaching the class. Remote/online courses will not be canceled by weather. 

Major considerations are road conditions, ice, utility service disruption, and how long the severe weather or emergency is likely to last. Decisions about classes can be found here:

  1. Check your George Fox email for a message from the Office of Academic Affairs.
  2. Visit the George Fox flashalert.net page or the FlashAlert Messenger App (available for iOS or Android). This will be the first site updated.
  3. Listen to local radio and television stations. Each campus will be identified separately.
  4. Call the George Fox University switchboard at 503-538-8383.

Employees and Remote Work

If road conditions are unsafe, employees will be expected to work remotely if they have work that can be accomplished from home. If remote work is not possible, employees should contact their supervisor.

If classes are not in session, the CFO will make the decision about campus closures. The policy for pay during closure can be found in the employee handbook.

In unique circumstances, a decision may be made to cancel classes but keep offices open. In that case, administrators and support staff are notified to report to work.

Weather may make it difficult or even impossible for some to come to campus even though the university is operating as usual. In no circumstances should employees or students put themselves in danger or peril in an attempt to get to campus. If they feel conditions are too hazardous for travel, they should not make the attempt. In this case, as soon as possible after 8 a.m., the employee should call and notify his or her supervisor of an absence or late arrival. Time missed from work in these situations should be recorded as vacation.