ALERT: Winter Storm Warning in effect through 6 p.m. Tuesday, 1/9; Campus Closed Tuesday, 1/9
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning today, Monday, January 8, through 6 p.m. on Tuesday, January 9. This storm will have the following impacts for the Grinnell area and the majority of central Iowa:
- Significant chance of 6 or more inches of snow, with up to 13 inches possible.
- Light snow accumulation will begin between noon and 3 p.m. today
- Heavier snow fall will begin around 3 p.m. today and continue through mid-morning Tuesday. Moderate to light snow will continue through 6 p.m. Tuesday.
- Snow today will be wet and heavy, followed by dry and fluffy snow overnight and tomorrow. Blowing and drifting conditions are expected Tuesday.
- Temperatures will begin to drop Tuesday with potential for wind chills near zero.
What this means for you
Campus will remain open until 5 p.m. today, Monday, January 8, for community access. Burling and Kistle libraries will also close at 5 p.m. Employees on campus today should monitor travel conditions and arrange with their supervisor to leave early as necessary. Employees that are approved to work remotely should do so for the remainder of today.
The College will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, January 9.
Specifically:
- Buildings will be closed for public and campus community access, including Burling Library, the Grinnell Museum of Art, the Bear Recreation and Athletic Center, and the Pioneer Bookshop.
- Administrative and academic offices will shift to remote work according to the inclement weather policy (internal link).
- Essential staff within Facilities Management, Dining, and Campus Safety will report to campus as scheduled.
- Staff or faculty that are not required to report to campus should remain home or off campus to allow Facilities Management to safely address snow removal.
Any staff not working their scheduled hours due to the campus closure should code their hours as “CLSD” unless already on scheduled vacation.
With supervisor approval, non-exempt employees that can work remotely during the duration of the closing should do so and should mark their time as TELW. This will be paid at the base pay rate for scheduled hours worked. Meetings can continue virtually through the duration of the closing.
Essential non-exempt staff in Facilities Management, Dining, Campus Safety who are required to work on campus during this weather-related closing will be paid two times their regular hourly wage for scheduled hours worked by coding their hours as “CLSD” AND “WRKD”.
Essential staff working on campus through the duration of the storm should continue to monitor travel conditions or early school dismissals and coordinate with their supervisor if they must depart early, arrive late, or need other accommodations. Campus community members reporting to campus should avoid parking on city streets to ensure compliance with city snow emergency ordinances. These resources may be helpful in your planning:
- Road Conditions: Iowa 511 Travel Information or download the Iowa 511 app on Android or Apple devices.
- Weather Forecasts: National Weather Service – Des Moines Office.
- Inclement weather policy and essential staff information is available in the employee handbook.
- City of Grinnell Snow Emergencies parking information.
We will send additional updates as needed if the delays or closures are extended.
Thank you,
Heather Cox