Dear UIS Students and Colleagues,

The weather forecast for the Springfield area calls for the possibility of freezing rain and icing starting early in the morning on Monday, Jan. 22, and throughout the day. Out of an abundance of caution, the Liberal Leave Policy is in effect for UIS employees on Monday (see details on the policy below). At this time, no other operational changes are being announced. If further announcements are necessary, they will be sent out via official UIS email, the UIS website, and social media.

As a matter of policy, UIS does not close due to inclement weather except under the most extraordinary conditions. However, periods of inclement weather often result in conditions that make travel difficult and at times hazardous.

Information for Students:

As the UIS Inclement Weather Policy states, if classes are not canceled and a student believes that travel will be dangerous, the student should make the appropriate personal decision and notify their instructor of a planned absence from class. Instructors are advised to abide by each student’s judgment in such cases.

The decision to cancel classes for the day is ordinarily made by 6 a.m. Decisions about class cancelations may be made at any time if the situation makes it necessary. 

Information for Employees:

UIS encourages employees to carefully consider their personal safety and local conditions in determining their ability to commute to work in extreme weather. If weather conditions deteriorate, UIS may activate the Liberal Leave Policy. The policy enables employees to exercise their judgment in determining if it is safe for them to drive or ride to or from work in inclement weather. UIS will notify employees via UIS email if the Liberal Leave Policy has been activated.

Employees whose work can be completed remotely may work from home with supervisory approval. Employees whose work cannot be performed remotely and are unable to report to work due to weather conditions are expected to use the appropriate leave benefits. Extreme weather does not change the need for an individual employee to notify their supervisor of the absence. Normal leave reporting processes and requirements apply to cover weather-related absences. 

When classes are canceled, the normal expectation is that all offices and other services of the university will have regular operating hours, unless otherwise determined by UIS administration. 

Members of the UIS community are encouraged to utilize the Illinois Department of Transportation's "Getting Around Illinois" website to access Winter Road Conditions at gettingaroundillinois.com. 

Thank You,

Blake Wood
Director of Media Strategy
University of Illinois Springfield
One University Plaza, MS PAC 563
Springfield, IL 62703-5407
217-206-8404