University Park, IL,
13
November
2017
|
13:31 PM
America/Chicago

Winter Weather Preparedness Week

As expectedsnow falling on traffic, winter is coming. Temperatures are dropping, daylight is waning, and we even saw our first snowfall on November 10. Those who were up and commuting early last Friday were either delighted or dismayed to see the air thick with falling clusters and flakes. 

Whether the thought of winter brings you cheer or makes you want to hibernate, there are precautions and procedures that the university's Facilities Development and Management (FDM) team would like to remind the community of before sub-zero temperatures, ice, and snow accumulation hit the GSU region.

First, please update your contact information with the university

On rare occasions, severe weather can lead to campus closure, a delayed start, or a suspension of classes for all or part of the day. This only occurs when weather conditions are such that it would be very unsafe for students or employees to attempt to go to work or class, but it does happen. Make sure we know how to reach you so that you don't try to brave potentially treacherous winter roads unnecessarily.

If you are a student, please complete a Change of Student Information form and submit it to the Registrar's Office. You may submit the completed form, including a copy of your picture ID, via fax to the Registrar's Office at 708.534.1640, or you may drop it off in person at C1300. If you have any questions, please contact the Registrar's Office or call 708.534.4500.

If you are a faculty or staff member, please complete a Name/Address/Phone Change form and submit it to Human Resources. You may submit the completed form to the Human Resources department in person in C1360 or via email. If you have any questions, please contact Human Resources at 708.534.4100.

Please note that when the campus is closed preventing a class from meeting at its scheduled time, professors may opt to conduct classes or provide assignments online. Students should plan to check Blackboard and their email regularly on such days to learn of any alternate arrangements.

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency offers the following general message to the people of Illinois as we move into the cold season:

"Every year, Illinois averages at least five major winter storms that impact millions of people. The best time to prepare for winter’s snow, cold and ice is before such weather hits.

Being prepared for winter doesn’t have to cost a lot of money or take a lot of time. It could be as simple as making sure your vehicle is in good winter driving condition, adding a winter survival kit to your car, changing your furnace filter and stocking or updating a home emergency supply kit.

Preparing for winter also means adjusting your driving habits. Snowy or ice-coated roads and reduced visibility due to fog or blowing snow result in thousands of motor vehicle crashes in Illinois every year. Many of these can be avoided by simply slowing down on city streets, rural roads and highways. Recent traffic studies have shown that many times, minor accumulations of snow or ice on roads can be just as dangerous for motorists as major snowstorms."

Finally, in a message to the GSU community, FDM asks the following:

"...those with offices in G Building remember to close their windows when they leave the office. [They] also ask that you leave the fan on the lowest set point 24/7 to keep water flowing through to coils to prevent frozen coils and burst pipes.

Please note that the cost of damages incurred as the result of a frozen coil from a window being left open will be charged to the department whose staff occupies that room. Previous repairs have been in excess of $5,000.

If you have any questions please contact FDM at extension 4515. Thank you."

Stay safe and warm out there, Jaguars. Winter is coming.