Remote Learning During Inclement Weather

Policy 2.3
Approved by:	President
Responsible Officer:	Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Student Affairs
Responsible Office:	OFFICE OF THE PROVOST
Originally Issued:	01/27/2025
Last Revision:	new
Category:	ADMINISTRATIVE
Related Policy
SDBOR Policy 4.4.44 Emergency Closing
DSU Faculty Handbook - Cancelling Classes

I. REASON FOR THIS POLICY

Inclement weather can impact the ability of Dakota State University faculty to deliver lectures, labs, and other teaching and learning under normal in-person conditions. The purpose of this policy is to communicate University expectations and procedures about the offering of remote instruction for face-to-face on-campus courses when inclement weather conditions result in the closure of the Dakota State University campus.

II. DEFINITIONS

1. Asynchronous Learning. The instructor and the students in a course engage in course content at different times and from different locations.
2. Instructional Activities. For purposes of this policy, instructional activities may include, but are not limited to, the following: synchronous virtual meetings during the regularly scheduled course times, asynchronous lectures, asynchronous course discussions, asynchronous lecture notes, asynchronous directed readings, synchronous homework, and synchronous online assessments.
3. Synchronous Learning. The instructor and the students in a course meet at the same time and place (virtual or physical) and engage in course content in “real-time.”

III. STATEMENT OF POLICY

1. Inclement Weather Campus Closure. This policy shall only apply to instances where the University announces campus closure due to inclement weather.
2. Instructional Designation. During inclement weather, the University shall use the following designations regarding the delivery of instructional activities:
   1. No Remote Learning Day (Condition “Red”): Under this designation, inclement weather conditions are extreme and therefore no remote instruction should commence. Faculty are prohibited from assigning any additional instructional content beyond what has already been assigned in their course.
   2. Required Remote Learning Day (Condition “Green”): Under this designation, inclement weather conditions result in a campus closure. However, due to circumstances related to the academic calendar, remote instruction must be offered. This would most commonly occur with campus closures during finals week
   3. Optional Remote Learning Day (Condition “Yellow”): Under this designation, inclement weather conditions result in a campus closure with only essential personnel required to be on campus; however, remote instruction is possible. Faculty, therefore, have the option to assign instructional activities. Faculty shall provide flexibility to students who experience technical difficulties as a result of the weather.
3. Student Access. Instructional activity during inclement weather shall not require students to travel, use resources or services that students cannot access from their residence, or synchronously participate at a time outside of students’ regularly scheduled course time.
4. Instructional Activity Delivery. When faculty deliver instruction during inclement weather, activities align with course learning expectations and shall take into account students’ differing circumstances during remote instruction (e.g., wireless connectivity).

5. Exclusions

   • This policy does not apply to Dakota State University courses delivered fully online.
   • Nothing within this policy raises the expectation that non-essential employees will be expected to work during campus closures due to inclement weather.
   • This policy does not govern instances where the University remains open, but an individual faculty member believes she/he is unable to commute to campus due to weather. In those situations, faculty should refer to the section on Cancelling Classes in the Faculty Handbook.

   Exceptions

   In rare circumstances, the President or designee many grant exceptions to this policy.

IV. PROCEDURES

1. Closure Alerts. When the University closes the campus due to inclement weather, employees receive a notice via the Campus Alert system. The University shall make its best effort to communicate weather-related campus closure at least two hours by 6:00 am Central Standard Time (CST).
2. Additional Closure Information for Faculty. The Provost and Vice President for Academic and Students Affairs shall include one of the three remote learning conditions within the alert.
   1. No remote learning day (condition “red”): Faculty shall not assign additional remote instruction and are not required to contact their students.
   2. Optional remote learning day (condition “yellow”): Faculty have the option to provide remote instruction for their courses.
      1. Faculty must contact all their students by 8:00 am CST using their DSU email to let them know whether or not they will be offering remote instruction. Faculty may also choose to notify students using other means familiar to students (e.g., D2L, Teams, Discord) in addition to DSU email. This communication should include details on the instructional activity expected for the course.
      2. In instances when the decision to close the campus is made after 8:00 am CST, the Campus Alert will indicate the revised time by which faculty must inform students about their decision on whether they will provide remote instruction.
   3. Required remote learning day (condition “green”): Faculty shall deliver remote instruction.
      1. Faculty must contact their students to communicate how the instructional activity will be provided.

V. RELATED DOCUMENTS, FORMS AND TOOLS

• none

VI. POLICY HISTORY

Adopted: 01/27/2025