Rainy day at UTSA 1604 Campus
UTSA offers resources for campus-closure information
(Dec. 21, 2004)--As the mercury continues to drop during the winter, there is always the possibility that UTSA may temporarily close because of icy conditions.
At any time of the year, whether there is ice or excessive rain, there are three primary methods the UTSA administration communicates the operational status of the university:
- 458-SNOW
- UTSA Web sites
- Local media
Today's headlines
- Free tickets: Try new VIA bus to Northwest Vista
- UTSA community invited to holiday breakfast
- UTSA wins Chancellor's Excellence Awards
- Bush appoints Romo to White House commission
Article tools
Printable format
E-mail this story
RSS FeedsUTSA faculty, staff and students can call (210) 458-SNOW at any time for information about the Tri-Campus community regarding the status of classes and employee work schedules. The extension can answer up to 138 calls at a time, but please be patient if you hear a busy signal.
The UTSA Office of University Communications will update two Web sites (UTSA home page and UTSA Today) with information related to the university's status.
Although University Communications attempts to distribute updated, correct information to all media outlets in the San Antonio area, the process can be difficult because of the large number of phone calls received by newspapers and radio and television stations during periods of severe weather. UTSA makes every attempt to provide all media outlets correct information in a timely manner, but the university initially communicates with both WOAI Television and WOAI Radio.
------------------------------
Frequently Asked Questions
How early does UTSA determine whether or not to close the campuses due to adverse weather?
When adverse weather occurs during the night, the UTSA Police Department advises the vice president for business affairs concerning weather conditions. The vice president consults with the provost and vice president for student affairs before advising the president who determines whether or not to close the university. Officials attempt to make a decision about whether or not to close the campuses by approximately 5 a.m. Subsequently, staff members in University Communications work to change the message on 458-SNOW, update the Web site and contact media outlets.
At other universities, they continue to have classes regardless of snow or ice. What criteria are used to close UTSA?
UTSA is committed to making the best decision relevant to the safety of all students, faculty and staff. In San Antonio, even a small amount of ice might create an unsafe situation, as students and employees travel to the university from a variety of distances. Sometimes, weather in the Hill Country may not be reflective of conditions in southern portions of Bexar County.
What if my situation appears dangerous, and I cannot determine whether or not UTSA is closed?
Individuals are encouraged to make a prudent decision about traveling to campus related to the weather in their area.