University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Policy Name: Inclement Weather and Emergency Closures
Policy Number: LR 215.1
Original Effective Date: January 15, 2003
Most Recent Revised Date: June 2, 2025
Policy
If Inclement Weather or an Emergency require the closure of the UA Little Rock campus, this policy will govern, as implemented by the Chancellor for the duration of the Inclement Weather or Emergency event. Closure of the UA Little Rock campus refers to the temporary closure of buildings and grounds necessitated by Inclement Weather or Emergency, not to regularly scheduled closures or campus holidays. UA Little Rock’s business activities will continue through Inclement Weather or Emergency closures, as outlined below. This policy applies to all areas of the UA Little Rock campus, including the William H. Bowen School of Law and UA Little Rock Downtown.
The terms in quotations shall have the following definitions for purposes of this policy:
“Inclement Weather” means the presence of climatic conditions including, but not limited to, heavy rain, hail, snow, or ice; high winds; extreme cold or heat; or any combination of such conditions that substantially increase the risk or difficulty of travel.
“Emergency” means a situation that poses an immediate risk to health, life, or property, with respect to working conditions at UA Little Rock.
“Essential On-Site Employee” means an employee whose job responsibilities require that they work on site during Inclement Weather and Emergencies in order to maintain critical institutional functions. Position restrictions in Workday will indicate whether the position is “essential,” with a functional job description indicating that the position is “essential on-site” for weather and emergencies. Essential On-Site Employees may be exempt or non-exempt. If so designated in Workday, Graduate Assistants may qualify as Essential On-Site Employees.
“Essential Remote Work Employee” means an employee in a position designated by the supervisor as requiring remote work during Inclement Weather and Emergencies in order to maintain critical institutional functions. Position restrictions in Workday will indicate whether the position is “essential,” with a functional job description indicating that the position is “essential remote” for weather and emergencies. Essential Remote Work Employees will be provided equipment, such as a laptop or tablet, necessary to perform remote work. Essential Remote Employees may be exempt or non-exempt.
General Procedures in the Event of Inclement Weather or Emergency
Upon the advice of relevant campus officials, including the Departments of Public Safety and Facilities Management, the Chancellor will decide whether Inclement Weather or an Emergency warrants the physical closure of some or all of the UA Little Rock campus. Any such closure will be announced through the UA Little Rock website, official social media accounts, the main UA Little Rock telephone number, and appropriate email lists. The announcement will contain as much detail as possible with regard to the nature of the closure and expected duration. Closure announcements will be updated or extended as needed, based on the unique circumstances of the Inclement Weather or Emergency event. Employees and students are expected to exercise good judgment regarding the safety of travel when road conditions are affected by Inclement Weather, and to remain in communication with their supervisors or instructors. Supervisors may, with the approval of Human Resources, apply liberal leave policies for employees who cannot work remotely during a given Inclement Weather or Emergency Event.
The following procedures will apply if a closure is announced:
- Essential On-Site Employees will report to their job site. Non-exempt employees who are benefits eligible and designated Essential On-Site will be compensated at a time-and-a-half rate for hours worked on site during Inclement Weather or an Emergency. Any essential On-Site Employee who fails to report to their job site will be charged unpaid leave for the full amount of time they are absent. Required attendance may be adjusted by the supervisor, depending on the nature of the Inclement Weather or Emergency.
- Essential Remote Work Employees will perform work remotely as instructed by their supervisors. Essential Remote Employees may be instructed to report to work on site, depending on the need for on-site services and the nature of the Inclement Weather or Emergency. Non-exempt employees who are benefits eligible and designated Essential Remote will be compensated at a time-and-a-half rate for hours worked on site during Inclement Weather or an Emergency. Non-exempt employees who are designated Essential Remote shall coordinate with their supervisor and Human Resources as to timekeeping functions for work hours impacted by the Inclement Weather or Emergency.
- Employees with independent approval to work remotely, including under LR 402.70 (Flexible Work Arrangements and Remote Work Policy), will continue to work remotely. Non-exempt employees with independent approval to work remotely shall coordinate with their supervisor and Human Resources as to timekeeping functions for work hours impacted by the Inclement Weather or Emergency closure.
- Non-Exempt employees who are not benefits eligible, including Work Study students, will not be paid for time missed due to a closure under this policy, unless otherwise approved by Human Resources.
- Benefits eligible employees who (1) are not in positions designated Essential On-Site or Essential Remote, and (2) are not independently approved to work remotely, will receive paid Inclement Weather Leave for work time missed due to a closure under this policy, unless otherwise directed by Human Resources. Employees are responsible for communicating with their supervisors to ensure that appropriate leave is logged. Supervisors are responsible for coordinating with Human Resources to ensure the same.
- Faculty members with courses impacted by the Inclement Weather or Emergency closure will follow the Virtual Protocols stated in syllabi for those courses, as required by LR 404.8 (Syllabus, Office Hours, and Regular and Substantive Contact). Faculty must promptly communicate the implementation of a Virtual Protocol to enrolled students following receipt of the closure announcement.
- In the event of a prolonged period where the UA Little Rock campus is closed due to Inclement Weather or Emergency, the Provost and the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs shall provide additional guidance for faculty and students.
- Graduate Assistants who serve as instructors of record in credit courses must ensure compliance with the federal definition of credit hour under the Higher Education Act, and are expected to make up missed class time using recorded lectures, assignments, readings, instructional materials, or other alternative forms of instruction.
- Regardless of whether remote work is possible, Graduate Assistants who do not serve as instructors of record in credit courses may not be required to make up previously scheduled work hours once normal on-campus operations resume. If no standard work schedule exists, supervisors shall not require Graduate Assistants to work more than a prorated portion of their total weekly work commitment within the remaining days of the week that the campus resumes normal on-campus operations. No required work hours may be deferred into a future week due to a suspension of normal on-campus operations. No work hours may be required on a weekend, unless specifically noted in the Graduate Assistant’s offer letter as part of their normal work assignments.
Special Considerations in the Event of Inclement Weather or Emergency
Payment Processing: When an Inclement Weather or Emergency event occurs, instructions on how to report leave time for non-exempt employees, including non-exempt employees who are not benefits eligible, will be provided by Human Resources, along with instructions on processing payment from Payroll.
Final Examinations: In the event of a campus closure or delayed opening during a final examination day, UA Little Rock will reschedule any cancelled final examinations, except those in online courses, which will continue as scheduled.
Weekends and Holidays: If an Inclement Weather or Emergency event occurs during a weekend or holiday, the Chancellor will determine if a delayed opening, early dismissal, or other closure is necessary for the next week day or class day. UA Little Rock personnel will follow procedures appropriate to the closure announcement.
Athletics Events: The Director of Athletics, in consultation with UA Little Rock officials including the Chancellor, may determine that previously scheduled athletics contests may continue to be held during times when UA Little Rock has announced a campus closure. Essential On-Site Employees will be expected to report to work as regularly scheduled to staff the athletics contest, unless otherwise directed by their supervisor.
Special Events: Vice Chancellors responsible for scheduling a special event impacted by Inclement Weather or Emergency shall coordinate with appropriate campus officials, including the Chancellor and Communications and Marketing, to ensure that the public receives updates regarding the status of the event.
Revised: January 15, 2003; December 5, 2008; January 28, 2010; January 1, 2011; November 11, 2015; May 16, 2025
Source: UALR Administrative Memo January 15, 2003; Inclement Weather Committee
Originator: Inclement Weather Committee (2003)
Custodian: Office of the Chancellor