Every winter storm is different, and university leaders closely monitor and proactively discuss upcoming weather conditions specific to our area – including the severity, timing, and duration of extreme weather – when making operational decisions.

The university’s Department of Emergency Management is in direct communication with the National Weather Service, local emergency management agencies, and multiple campus entities to evaluate forecasts, road and walkway conditions, and the ability to maintain essential services across campus both well in advance and in real time during each known storm. This information is shared directly with the executive vice president and provost, and the Severe Weather Advisory Group, as appropriate.  

When weather conditions have the potential to significantly impact campus operations, decisions are made by evaluating relevant information from the National Weather Service, Campus Safety, Facilities Management, and other campus and community partners. The provost has the final authority to make extreme weather operational decisions on behalf of the university.

Maintaining regularly scheduled classes and campus services whenever safely possible ensures that students and employees continue to have access to academic, technological, and well-being resources they rely on.  

While the university can and does use virtual instruction in some circumstances, shifting courses online on short notice is not always feasible or appropriate. Some courses – such as labs, clinical rotations, and hands-on experiences – cannot be completed online. Additionally, unlike K-12 schools, universities follow an academic calendar with limited flexibility to make up missed class time. 

University employees will be expected to make every reasonable effort to report to work as scheduled, even in severe weather conditions. Whenever possible, employees should maintain awareness of local weather forecasts, including potential impacts and also anticipate the potential for delays in travel/transportation. Upon evaluation of their individual circumstances, employees are expected to make reasonable judgments to avoid serious risks when traveling to and from work.

Employees are encouraged to actively communicate with their supervisor or other proper authority regarding their timeliness and attendance during extreme weather conditions to ensure proper staffing. When delayed, employees may be expected to report to work as soon as they become available, unless otherwise excused by their supervisor, to meet operational needs. Supervisory staff are expected to use their discretion reasonably and humanely in relation to this policy.

UI Policy Manual: Attendance During Extreme Weather Conditions 

Students should use good judgement and avoid serious risks when traveling to and around campus.

If a student feels they cannot safely attend scheduled classes given current weather conditions, they are encouraged to communicate directly with their instructor (and campus job supervisor, if applicable) regarding their specific circumstances.

While each course instructor may have different class attendance or absence policies, instructors are encouraged to practice flexibility where possible during extreme weather events.  

Official campuswide announcement about delays, cancelations, or reduced operations will be communicated through Hawk Alert, the UI Homepage, the UI Emergency website, and official social media accounts. Additional updates about the weather conditions and related changes will be posted on the university's emergency website, emergency.uiowa.edu.

If no official campuswide announcement is made, the university is operating as normal. Be sure to monitor your UI email and other relevant channels for any additional adjustments specific to your area.

Regularly review your Hawk Alert settings and add a cell phone number. Text messaging is the fastest way to receive an alert, and redundancy is important to ensure you receive timely safety information. 

Departments and units hosting special events should make their own prior arrangements with employees and participants, notifying them how to proceed in case of inclement weather or an emergency.

In unique circumstances, where the safety of the participants and employees is not jeopardized, special events, such as ticketed concerts or athletic events open to the public, may take place with approval from applicable university leadership.

Process

In these situations, departments and units must ensure adequate services through coordination with Facilities Management, Campus Safety, and other units expected to support such operations and then submit their request via email to the UI Department of Emergency Management  (UI-EM@uiowa.edu), Emergency Management will work with the provost, and when appropriate, the Severe Weather Advisory Group, to review the request and provide a timely response.

Staff and department leaders should not make independent decisions to close buildings or change access control due to weather-related concerns without prior approval.  

Any request to change facility hours or operations should be submitted as early as possible to the UI Department of Emergency Management by emailing (UI-EM@uiowa.edu).

Emergency Management will work with the provost, and when appropriate, the Severe Weather Advisory Group, to review the request and provide a timely response. 

Accumulations of snow and ice will be removed as expeditiously as practical during and after storms within the parameters dictated by weather conditions, available manpower, equipment resources, and budget restraints.  

In addition to university staff, the university hires external contractors to plow and haul snow to help keep parking lots and ramps clear during and after winter storms.    

We appreciate your patience and cooperation as our crews make every effort to provide safe conditions for pedestrian and vehicular traffic during and after winter storms.

Additional information about snow and ice removal procedures is available on the Facilities Management website. 

To view the snow removal map, or report an area where winter conditions are preventing access to a building, call: 319-335-5071 or submit a request via FM@YourService.  

For more information on how to report snow and ice removal-related issues, see the Snow and Ice Removal page. 

As winter weather continues and colder temperatures are expected, it’s important to check the weather forecast before traveling and plan accordingly to stay safe.  

You can view the most current weather information and road condition updates via:

• The National Weather Service; Download Mobile App
• 511 road conditions website; Download Mobile App

It can also be helpful to identify alternative routes ahead of time in case roads are closed or impassible in some areas. 

Dress appropriately if you must go outside:

• Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing, and a hat.
• Mittens, snug at the wrist, are better than gloves.
• Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from extreme cold.
• Stay dry and out of the wind.

Individuals seeking low-cost clothing can choose from multiple options in the Iowa City area. 

Students can contact Student Care and Assistance at dos-assistance@uiowa.edu if they are facing challenges related to winter weather.

• Clean off your vehicle before driving.
• Ready your vehicle (check battery, wipers, coolant etc.)
• Keep a winter survival kit in your car if you must travel.
• Slow down and keep two hands on the wheel.
• Don’t use cruise control during icy/snowy conditions.
• Leave extra distance between vehicles.
• Check local public transit resources for real-time updates and information. 
   

Stay in your vehicle if you are involved in a crash or experience car issues while driving on the highway. 

Pull your car into the emergency lane or onto the shoulder if it is safe to do so, turn on your hazard lights, and call 911 to report the accident and request roadside assistance. 

While it may be tempting to inspect your car for damage or issues while you wait, doing so can put you at risk of getting struck by traffic. 

An Extreme Cold Warning is issued by the National Weather Service “when dangerously cold air, with or without wind, is expected.” Typically in our area, this means that temperatures and/or wind chills of negative 30 degrees Fahrenheit or colder are expected within the provided timeframe. In these conditions, frostbite on unprotected skin is possible in 30 minutes or even less.

While we understand Hawk Alert messages may sometimes pose a mild inconvenience to students, faculty, and staff, the university under the Clery Act also has a responsibility to warn campus about threats to their health and safety.  

It is important to keep in mind that not all students who attend the university are from Iowa or the Midwest. Some may not have experience with or an acute understanding of the potential dangers of extreme temperatures.  

Additionally, many members of our campus community are engaged in activities throughout the course of their day or daily work that place them outdoors or in locations where they could be more vulnerable to the elements. 

UI Policy Manual: Extreme Weather Protocol

UI Policy Manual: Attendance During Extreme Weather Conditions

Nite Ride is a free, late-night transportation service operated by Campus Safety. This service is available to all UI students, faculty, and staff from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. 

Nite Ride will maintain service during severe weather within reasonable and safe practices. 

During extreme weather events, Nite Ride may need to unexpectedly modify or suspend all service. 

Monitor the Transit App for updates.

Eligible students can claim five $5 Uber ride Vouchers which are valid from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily within a five-mile radius of central campus.

Visit the Hawk Vouchers page to claim yours while supplies last.

Cambus will maintain service during severe weather within reasonable and safe practices, but routes may run behind schedule. See the snow detours page for common detours and winter riding tips.

GPS-based, real-time Cambus passenger information is available through the Transit app.

You should “favorite” routes you most frequently ride so you can receive notifications of any weather-related detours or delays.

UI Parking and Transportation offers free jump-start service for employees, students, and visitors parked on the main campus.

See the Motorist Assistance Program web page for service hours.

To request service, call 319-335-8312.

To learn more about policies, procedures, detours, and services, visit the UI Parking and Transportation winter weather information page.

Building operations teams monitor building conditions and landscape services teams remove snow and ice per the campus snow and ice removal plan during extreme weather. 

To learn more about this process, report an access issue, or view snow removal maps, visit the snow and ice removal procedures page.