Seattle Community Colleges - Campus Closures

Individual Closures

In cases of closure due to weather-related emergencies such as snow, a decision and announcement regarding closure will be made by the individual campus, and relayed to the chancellor or his designee.

Individual campus decisions and announcements on closures will also be made and announced by campuses in situations that affect one campus specifically (such as power outages, fire, lockouts).

Combined Closures

In event of widespread or catastrophic emergency, a decision and announcement will be the same for all campuses and offices of the district, following discussion by the college presidents and chancellor (or their designees), or by the Emergency Communications Committee, as called for in the district-wide crisis communications plan.

For both individual and combined closures, PIOs throughout the district are able to change the (PSECS) Public Schools Emergency Communications website message for any or all of the district colleges.

Closure messages should also be communicated, as circumstances allow -

on college and district websites
on radio & television
on main and departmental phone lines
through employee voicemail
through employee e-mail

Closure Announcements

Evening classes/offices — Conditions permitting, a decision will be announced by 2:00 pm
Day classes/offices — Conditions permitting, a decision will be announced by 5:00 am
Saturdays — closure decisions and announcements will be made when campus facilities such as libraries and bookstores may be open and students and staff may be on campus for classes and workshops.
Sundays — closure decisions and announcements will also be made in the case of expected campus activity.
Weekends during official breaks as defined by the district Instructional Calendar — closure decisions and announcements will also be made in the case of expected campus activity.

The District Office follows weather-related closure directions for Seattle Central.

Following a Closure — a re-opening decision and message will be announced using the same deadlines and procedures as above.

Seattle Community Colleges District Website

Rich Media Version:

Emergency Preparedness

Campus Closures