University of Missouri to do remote learning during snow days

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The University of Missouri said Wednesday that students will shift to remote learning and employees will work remotely, if applicable, during inclement weather events like blizzards.

Instructors are expected to communicate expectations with their students.

Staff members who aren’t required to work on campus during a weather event will be expected to telework. Supervisors are responsible for coordinating alternative work plans with their employees.

MU will stay open whenever possible for business and on-campus instructional activities during winter weather. On those days, employees and students are expected to exercise judgment when deciding if they can travel safely to campus. Each individual’s circumstance will be different; therefore, it’s important that supervisors and instructors facilitate conversations to determine what options exist for their teams and classes in the event they cannot make it to campus.

Employees will fall into three categories during an inclement weather event:

• Those who aren’t required to work on-site and will telework from home or another location. Staff who do not telework must take paid time off — either personal or vacation days.

• Those who cannot carry out their duties through telework and who are instructed that they are not required on-site to work will be compensated.

• Hourly workers who are required to work on-site may be eligible to receive premium pay; those who are required to work on-site and choose not to will need to take paid time off — either personal or vacation days.

If there is a change in campus status due to severe weather, the university will:

• Issue an MU Alert, triggering a text message to all registered cellphone numbers and an email to the campus community.

• Post information to the university’s website.

• Post information to Mizzou’s social media channels.

• Inform local media outlets.

• Try to have that information by 6 a.m. on weather-affected weekdays.

The university began using remote classes for snow days after going online-only during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.