University Policies Regarding Modification of Operations
As we welcome our community back to begin the spring semester, there has been an increase in the opportunity for inclement weather in our region. We offer the following reminder to the Penn community about University policies and procedures regarding weather-related campus operation suspension or modification, and resulting class cancellations. The University schedule is carefully coordinated, and the expectation should be that all academic, health system, and business operations will be maintained as usual unless you receive a University notification indicating otherwise.
—John L. Jackson, Jr., Provost
—Craig Carnaroli, Senior Executive Vice President
—Kathleen Shields Anderson, Vice President for Public Safety
Notification Methods
Should there be a suspension of normal operations, delayed opening, or early closure, members of the Penn community will receive a text message and email from the UPennAlert emergency notification system. Please take this time to confirm your UPennAlert emergency phone number by following the instructions below. Additional information will be provided on the Public Safety website, at www.publicsafety.upenn.edu as well as on the University home page, at www.upenn.edu.
This information is also conveyed through the University’s notification phone line, 215-898-MELT (6358) and via KYW News Radio (103.9 FM & 1060 AM), the City of Philadelphia’s official storm emergency center. The University’s emergency radio identification code numbers are “102” for day classes and schools/centers and “2102” for evening classes. The message that accompanies the code number will provide the operating status of the University. Please note that radio and television stations other than KYW are not to be considered “official” sources of information.
In case of an inclement weather event, know that the University will be closely monitoring and assessing the situation. You may expect a notification as soon as a decision is made should there be a need to suspend or modify operations. Please ensure you are receiving UPennAlert texts and utilizing the website and MELT line for updates to the status of the University’s operations.
Visit the SEPTA website to familiarize yourself with alternate transportation plans should they be needed.
Attendance Expectations
When University normal operations are suspended, employees are generally not expected to work unless they are designated essential.
Essential University staff for critical campus operations and life sustaining operations and all Health System physicians and staff are required to report to work at their regularly scheduled start time. Please consult with your supervisor should you have any questions.
With the prior approval of the Senior Executive Vice President and Provost and advance notification to employees, fully online academic programs, executive format programs, and/or programs that operate from a different geographic location may follow different closing decisions. Check with your program administrator should you have any questions.
For details, review the policy Suspension of Normal Operations (upenn.edu)
Register/confirm UPennAlert Information:
Students
We encourage you to stay informed through UPennAlert. Confirm your information is accurate by updating your Learning From Address, Emergency Contact and Missing Person Contact, and UPennAlert numbers in Path@Penn (how-to guide linked below).
How to add/update: UPennAlert Number(s)/Learning From Address/Emergency Contact and Missing Person Contact
All information is secure and confidential. If you have any problems updating your personal contact information, please email the Division of Public Safety at the Public Safety Feedback Line.
Staff/Faculty
The UPennAlert System’s effectiveness depends upon the accuracy of recipients’ personal contact information. To register for the system, or to update your contact information, visit the UPennAlert site and follow the link that best applies to you. All information is secure and confidential. If you have any problems updating your personal contact information, please email the Division of Public Safety at the Public Safety Feedback Line.
For more information on the UPennAlert Emergency Notification System and Emergency Procedures, please visit the Public Safety website on how to be PennReady.
Penn Guardian:
Also, please remember to download the Penn Guardian app, a service that rapidly provides personal information to the Division of Public Safety during an emergency. Members of the Penn community can build a personal profile with emergency information as well as directly text with PennComm dispatchers. Learn more about this free service on the Penn Guardian site.