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Classes, events and normal campus services will resume on Thursday

February 2, 2011

3:30 p.m. update: Classes, events and normal campus services will resume on Thursday, Feb. 3. Officials thanked the community for flexibility and patience in dealing with this major storm.

Campus streets, sidewalks, parking lots and building entrances have been plowed and shoveled. However, all are still encouraged to use caution coming to or from campus.

If you become stranded, or are in need of emergency plowing
or building services on campus tonight, call the UW Police Department at (608) 264-COPS.

On Thursday, if you become aware of areas in need of plowing
or shoveling attention, please contact UW Physical Plant (Grounds) at physical.plant.cars@fpm.wisc.edu or (608) 263-3333.

Madison Metro informs campus that they will resume service on Thursday.

If you still have concerns about traveling to campus:

–Students who feel it is unsafe to travel to campus should contact their professors or teaching assistants about making up missed class time. Professors and teaching assistants are asked to be flexible in dealing with student requests.

–Employees are advised to use their own discretion regarding their health and safety and that of family members, but they are
required to use appropriate leave (i.e., vacation, personal holiday, furlough, etc.) or arrange to make up time to cover any absences.

Unit practices for employee absences should be followed.
Supervisors are advised to be flexible, if operationally possible, in their
approval of employee-requested leave in inclement weather situations.

The Office of Human Resources has produced an employment-related FAQ and inclement weather guidelines for UW employees.

Winter parking regulations aimed at helping snow removal efforts are in effect. Get complete details on Snow Action Days.

Additional resources:

List of service changes for Wednesday

Wisconsin Department of Transportation Road Conditions

Madison Snow emergency info

Madison Metro Transit Information

For information on winter accessibility, visit a site created by the McBurney Disability Resource Center.

11 a.m. update: Crews at the University of Wisconsin–Madison began to dig out from a crippling winter storm that forced cancellation of classes and events on campus Wednesday, Feb. 2.

 

Overall, authorities reported that the campus was quiet overnight and there are no reports of any problems beyond travel. Essential services at the university are fully functional.

Campus officials repeated that essential employees must report and follow their department guidelines and policies. Other employees will follow the inclement weather policy that outlines attendance and leave policies. Additional detail is below

Non-essential employees are required to use appropriate leave (i.e., vacation, personal holiday, furlough, etc.) to be excused from the work day Wednesday. Officials urged employees with questions to contact their supervisors with questions.

The big job of clearing the drifted snow from campus roads, parking lots and walkways began early Wednesday. Officials report that they have 25 pieces of equipment out and are making good progress at clearing snow.

UW crews hope to have all campus streets and lot access open by 8 a.m. They will continue to clear roads until 3 p.m. They will begin again at 1 a.m. on Thursday. Custodial crews are arriving and will begin clearing building access.  

City and county main arteries are being worked on but sections may not be passable.  Many secondary roads are impassable to all but high-clearance, four-wheel drive vehicles. Because of the snow, Madison Metro is not operating.

Parts of the Interstate system in the Milwaukee area are closed.

6 p.m. Tuesday: In response to blizzard warnings for Madison and Dane County, Chancellor Biddy Martin has canceled classes and events for Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2011 for the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

The university plans to resume classes and events on Thursday, Feb. 3.

Employees designated as non-essential are advised to use their own discretion regarding their health and safety, and that of their family members, before coming to campus.

Non-essential employees are required to use appropriate leave (i.e., vacation, personal holiday, furlough, etc.) to be excused from the work day Wednesday.

Unit practices for employee absences should be followed. Supervisors are advised to be flexible, if operationally possible, in their approval of employee-requested leave.

Employees designated as essential should follow their department work procedures.

All employees of University Housing, all custodial and grounds employees of the Physical Plant, members of the university police department, animal care, patient care and public safety, etc. are designated essential and should report to work.