Oakland University will cancel all but essential operations starting on Tuesday, Jan. 21, at 5 a.m. until Thursday, Jan 23, at 5 a.m. due to extreme cold weather.
Through text and email notifications, the Oakland University Police Department issued an advisory announcing the university’s closure for two days.
“During a university closure, all scheduled classes, regardless of modality, are canceled and all but essential University operations cease,” OUPD wrote in the urgent advisory. “Any campus activities outside of classes are also canceled unless communicated otherwise. Students, faculty and staff are not expected to report to campus.”
“This closure applies to in-person and virtual courses (both synchronous and asynchronous),” Kathleen Battles, professor and department chair of Communication, Journalism and Public Relations, said. “Of course, students are free to do their asynchronous work, but there can be no work due (assignments, forums, exams, etc.) during the closure period.”
“Asynchronous online courses will not have any assignments or exams due during the Cancellation of Classes or Emergency Closure period,” OU said in the University’s Administrative Policies and Procedures. “Academic issues related to class make-up, online classes, test rescheduling, individual faculty or student absences, etc., will be addressed on a case-by-case basis by the responsible faculty member or appropriate academic department or unit.”
OU classes at the Macomb University Center, Oakland University West Campus, Moceri House and the Engineering Research Facility will also be canceled during this time.
OUPD clarifies that decisions regarding changes in university operations are made independently, however, it should not be assumed that additional changes will be made in conjunction with any other.
Regular university operations and classes are expected to resume on Thursday, Jan 23.
“The university appreciates the patience and cooperation of campus community members as efforts are made to balance OU’s commitment to delivering quality educational programs with the need to ensure personal safety during severe weather events,” OUPD wrote.
Sign up for OUPD Emergency Alerts through the OUPD Emergency Management webpage.
