Update: Despite cold, campus expected to be open

3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 6: Campus is open and university operations are expected to continue as normal.

Employees who need assistance while parking in a campus lot should call their usual motorist assistance service (AAA, service station, towing service) to start.

As a result of the extreme temperatures, additional services are available, including use of a mobile phone, telephone numbers of motorist services, salt/sand and a heated vehicle. Contact UWPD, (608) 262-2957, or Transportation Services, (608) 263-6666 for assistance.

Employees are reminded to take extra precautions to prepare for the extremely cold weather. Campus is currently on winter break and classes for most students are not in session until Jan. 21.

However, the National Weather Service has issued a wind chill warning for southern Wisconsin, including Dane County, from 6 p.m. Sunday to noon Tuesday forecasting wind chills at 40 to 50 below zero both Monday and Tuesday mornings.

Employees are encouraged to take appropriate precautions for the cold. In the event that employees can not safely travel to campus or there are school closings that require alternate childcare arrangements, employees should notify supervisors and use paid time off for any absences.

For more information, review the campus Inclement Weather Guidelines.

Physical Plant staff will be closely monitoring weather conditions to keep the heating systems running efficiently and buildings on campus comfortable. Please check your offices, labs and other spaces to make sure that all windows and doors are closed and secured over the weekend. If there are heat or other building-related issues, please call the Central Answering and Response Service (CARS) at (608) 263-3333.

To stay informed of Metro Transit winter delays, cancellations and other inclement weather service information you can:

• Check the Madison Metro website.
• Check local radio or TV stations
• Subscribe to Metro’s winter email and text alert notification list.
• Contact Metro’s customer service center at (608) 266-4466
• For additional information on managing winter weather impacts to travel, visit the UW Transportation Services website.
• Or see more information on staying safe in the cold.