A rumor, generated by an outside e-mail, is being circulated suggesting that people on the WSU Pullman campus might want to go home early because of inclement weather and road conditions. Please note: The university is concerned about the safety of all students, faculty and staff. However, this e-mail did not come from WSU.
Briefly, if someone intends to leave early, they need to follow the state statutes and regulations, clear it with their administrator and declare it as annual leave, as outlined in WSU Business Policies and Procedures Manual 60.57, and state code WAC 357-31-255 (see below).
Some college campuses and schools in the region — including WSU Spokane and WSU Tri-Cities — have closed due to weather conditions. However, WSU Pullman, historically, does not close except under the most adverse conditions, and has not today. And, to clarify, WSU Pullman is not closing campus. If it were to close, it would follow BPPM 50.40 and 60.40, and state WAC 357-31-260 (see below).
Please note: If WSU were to close due to inclement weather, notification to WSU students, faculty and staff about the closure would be accomplished via the WSU ALERT system https://www.alert.wsu.edu), and would include, but not be limited to, information sent directly via landline and cell-phone by both voice and text messages as well as email messages to all who have registered for the Crisis Communication System.
Here are the regulations mentioned above:
BPPM 60.57 — LEAVE DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER
A civil service employee may be required to use compensatory time for absence due to inclement weather before using annual leave hours, unless this requirement would result in a loss of accumulated annual leave. A civil service employee may use up to three days of sick leave per calendar year for absence due to inclement weather after all other paid leave is exhausted. Civil service employees may request to use leave without pay for absences due to inclement weather.
Refer to WAC 357-31-255 for more information.
WAC 357-31-255 — LEAVE DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER
What types of leave may an employee use when absent from work or arriving late to work because of inclement weather?
When the employer determines inclement weather conditions exist, the employer’s leave policy governs the order in which accrued leave and compensatory time may be used to account for the time an employee is absent from work due to the inclement weather. The employer’s policy must allow the use of accrued vacation leave, accrued sick leave up to a maximum of three days in any calendar year, and the use of leave without pay in lieu of paid leave at the request of the employee. The employer’s policy may allow leave with pay when an employee is absent due to inclement weather.
BPPM 50.40 Suspended operations involving safety and security
The WSU President may suspend the operation of all or any part of the institution whenever the President determines that public health, property, or safety is jeopardized. If the President is not available, the Provost or the Vice President for Business Affairs, or, in the absence of these officers, any other vice president may suspend operations. Supervisors of off-Pullman campus facilities are responsible for suspending operations in the facility as dictated by emergency circumstances.
BPPM 60.40 Staffing During Emergency Closures
OVERVIEW
Emergencies forcing either a limited campus closure or a declaration of suspended operations may occur at any time and may affect all or part of the instructional day. See 50.40.
CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEES
The following requirements apply to civil service employees during emergency closure periods:
When Required to Work
An employee who is required to work during the closure receives his or her regular rate of pay for work performed during the period of suspended operations.
Overtime-eligible civil service employees receive compensation for overtime worked during the closure in accordance with WAC 357-28. See also 60.59.
When Not Required to Work
For information regarding leave usage during periods of suspended operations or inclement weather, civil service employees refer to 60.57.
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING UNIT EMPLOYEES
Employees covered by collective bargaining unit agreements refer to the applicable agreements regarding suspended operations.
ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONAL (AP) EMPLOYEES
The following requirements apply to administrative professional (AP) employees during emergency closure periods:
When Required to Work
An employee who is required to work during the closure receives his or her regular rate of pay for work performed during the period of suspended operations.
Overtime-eligible AP employees receive compensation for overtime worked during the closure in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act. See 60.59.
When Not Required to Work
For information regarding leave usage during periods of suspended operations or inclement weather, AP employees refer to the Administrative Professional Handbook. To view the handbook, go to the HRS website at:
Select Administrative Professional, then
Select AP Personnel Handbook.
Select AP Personnel Handbook.
FACULTY AND STUDENTS
The administration determines the need to conduct missed classes and notifies faculty and students if, when, and where classes will be scheduled.
Faculty who are not involved with classes account for hours not worked due to emergency closures in the same manner as faculty who have classes.
SUSPENSION LONGER THAN FIFTEEN CALENDAR DAYS
The period of suspended operations must not exceed 15 calendar days without approval from the Director of the Washington Department of Personnel. (WAC 357-31-280)
Under https://www.wsu.edu/~forms/HTML/BPPM/60_Personnel/60.40_Staffing_During_Emergency_Closures.htm you will find “Staffing during emergency closures” and the information on accounting for hours not worked.
