Winter's chill brings possibility of weather-related university closures

Cooler temperatures indicate that winter is on its way. Unfortunately, winter often brings the threat of hazardous driving conditions due to snow and ice.

When weather conditions pose a significant threat to the safety of students, faculty and staff members who commute to campus, UNT will close. UNT classes will be canceled not only at the Denton campus, but also at all locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth region where UNT classes are offered, including the Universities Center at Dallas. When the Denton campus closes, so will the UNT Dallas Campus.

In the event the university closes due to inclement weather, online classes taught via WebCT are not affected unless the instructor of the course informs students otherwise.

UNT officials may make the decision to close the university for the whole day the evening before or by 5 a.m. that day if a winter storm is threatening the area. The university may also close and cancel classes in the middle of the day if weather conditions deteriorate.

University Relations, Communications and Marketing staff members will notify area media if UNT is closing.

Before you begin driving to work or class, visit www.unt.edu or listen to radio and television stations for announcements of closures. Click here to view a list of media announcing closures.

It is helpful to learn the weather terms. A "winter storm watch" means conditions are right for ice and snow to develop. A "winter storm warning" means that an ice storm or snowstorm is entering the area. A "winter weather advisory" indicates that winter weather conditions are expected to cause significant inconveniences and hazardous driving, which may result in UNT closing.

If you are considered to be "essential staff" and the university is closing, check with your supervisor about whether to come to work. Several UNT departments have calling trees to notify their staff about university closures.

Should the university remain open during winter weather, faculty, staff and students who commute long distances to campus can call the Texas Department of Transportation's area hotline for information on road conditions. The number is (214) 374-4100. The 24-hour recording is updated regularly and includes information on highways in Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Kaufman, Navarro and Rockwall counties.

For information on road conditions in other counties, call the Texas Department of Transportation directly at (800) 452-9292.

If UNT officials decide to close the university in the middle of the day, the main phone numbers for departments may be forwarded to the university's Broadcast Notification System.

Using a voice-mail message, the system will provide callers with information about the closing, the status of scheduled UNT events and when the university is expected to reopen. To access the system or to reach the university switchboard, call (940) 565-2000 or metro (817) 267-3731.

BY MICHELLE HALE mhale@unt.edu

Other featured articles in this issue

• UNT System seeks approval for a public law school in downtown Dallas
• UNT community is encouraged to participate in online academic plan forums
• National Public Radio reporter to speak at commencement Dec. 18
• UNT to present two honorary degrees
• About the commencement speaker
• Regents confirm new senior vice president
• Not too late to buy New Orleans Bowl tickets
• UNT enters agreement to provide big possibilities for little technology
• Help for busted holiday diets
• State Employee Charitable Campaign reaches goal
• Senate discusses exam schedule, tenure, promotion

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