Q&A: What leads to the final decision of a snow day?

Originally published February 2, 2011 at 8:39 p.m., updated February 2, 2011 at 8:39 p.m.

Jill Jess, associate director of University Relations, answered a few questions on snow days.

Q: Who makes the final decision to call a snow day? Is there a chain it must go through? What had to happen, in terms of weather expectations, for the decision to be made?

A: “As for the final decision, it goes through the Provost’s Office, and the people there who talk very closely with those who work with KU on Wheels and Facility Operations people. We used our judgment on how quickly we could clear parking lots and campus. The really cold temperatures played into the cancellation and ability for maintenance crews to clear the snow, as well.”

Q: Why is it that the University seems to be the last one, if at all, to call a snow day?

A: “Yesterday we called in the decision before Lawrence Public Schools did. Yesterday was a situation where it was monitored, and we knew what was happening and what was predicted for overnight. The University expects students to take their own precautions. They’re not standing on a corner waiting for a school bus. They understand how to dress in weather like this. We take all of that into consideration before making the call to cancel classes and close campus.”

— Edited by Erin Wilbert

University cancels classes after storm

After Lawrence saw several inches of snow in a few hours, University ...

/news/2008/feb/07/snow_day/

Blizzard warning issued for Douglas County

KU Edwards Campus and Lawrence Public are closed Tuesday.

/news/2011/jan/31/blizzard-waring-issued-douglas-county/

Q&A with womens' club soccer

Kansan club sports writer Emily Muskin sat down with two players from ...

/news/2007/nov/15/q_womens_club_soccer/

Q & A with men’s club soccer

Club sports reporter Emily Muskin talks with Jacob Shinn and Casey Aull ...

/news/2007/nov/16/club_soccer/

Nephew of Michele Bachmann offers insights

Tyler Amble, nephew of GOP presidential candidate Michele Bachmann, spoke about his ...

/news/2011/sep/07/nephew-michele-bachmann-recalls-memories/

Blizzard waring issued for Douglas County

KU Edwards Campus and Lawrence Public are closed Tuesday.

/news/2011/jan/24/blizzard-waring-issued-douglas-county/

Blizzard update: Latest information, as it comes ...

Classes and campus operations will resume Thursday.

/news/2011/feb/02/blizzard_update/

Snow and buses lead to cancellation

Difficulty with buses getting up hills and a snow storm Thursday caused ...

/news/2008/feb/22/snow/

Get to know some of the cross ...

The Kansan asks cross country runners some personal questions

/news/2008/sep/18/get_know_some_cross_country_team/

Winter Weather Advisory in effect

Drivers and pedestrians should take extra caution on campus Monday.

/news/2012/feb/12/winter-weather/

Accidents expected to increase as roads clear

Drivers returning to newly-plowed roads receive a cautionary warning from a towing ...

/news/2011/feb/02/accidents-expected-increase-roads-clear/

Question & Answer

with David Cook of American Idol

/news/2008/sep/11/question/

In-state freshman wavers between pre-med and social ...

/news/2005/nov/22/ne_otb/

Q&A;: Midwest Dilemma

/news/2005/sep/22/q_midwest_dilemma/

Question & Answer with Harry Shaffer, professor ...

/news/2008/oct/09/question_anser_harry_shaffer_professor_economics/

'Snowpocalypse' pummels Kansas, entire Midwest

Class cancelations, winter weather struggles abound in Kansas, Missouri and throughout the ...

/news/2011/feb/01/snowpocalypse-pummels-kansas-entire-midwest/

Classes canceled after 1 p.m. today

The University has canceled classes after 1 p.m. on Thursday, February 21. ...

/news/2008/feb/21/classes_cancelled/

Question & Answer with Chuck D, rapper ...

Chuck D is known for his 20 years as frontman for the ...

/news/2008/oct/23/question_answer_chuck_d_rapper_and_activist/

Question & answer

With Professor David Holmes

/news/2008/sep/18/question/

Classes continue as scheduled

While KU fans are worried about Monday’s championship, students are worried if ...

/news/2008/apr/04/classes/

Q & A: The Frames

/news/2005/oct/06/q_frames/

Employees work overtime to counteract snowfall

Multiple inches of snow and biting temperatures don’t stop activities in Lawrence, ...

/news/2011/jan/20/employees-counteract-snowfall/

Q & A with Krysten Boogaard

A Kansan reporter had the chance to sit down with Big 12 ...

/news/2008/feb/07/boogaard/

KU Cauldron student to give Wicca lecture

The group’s vice president wants to help students understand the pagan religion.

/news/2009/apr/01/ku_cauldron_student_give_wicca_lecture/

Journalist calls KU women to action

Speaking to a crowd of 100 at the Dole Institute, the columnist ...

/news/2010/apr/29/journalist-calls-ku-women-action/

Question & answer with Jessica Baylin, musician

/news/2008/nov/20/Q_A/

Union employees work through the snow

The Union provides a place on campus for emergency employees still on ...

/news/2011/feb/01/union-stays-open/

Fireside chats with Bernadette Gray-Little

Reporter Jessie Blakeborough discusses everything from conference realignment to general education requirements ...

/news/2011/sep/18/fireside-chats-bernadette-gray-little/

Question & answer with Kristie Stremel, musician ...

/news/2008/nov/13/question_answer_kristie_stremel_musician_and_activ/

Q and A with Ryan Dolan

/news/2005/sep/29/q_and_ryan_dolan/

Question & answer with Director Kevin Smith

/news/2008/nov/06/question_answer_director_kevin_smith/

BREAKING NEWS — All evening classes cancelled

/news/2005/feb/08/news_campus_snow/

Grounds crew proactive about winter weather

Unusually heavy snowfall keeps facility operations department busy clearing campus roads, sidewalks ...

/news/2010/feb/12/grounds-crew-proactive-about-winter-weather/

Winter Storm Warning in effect for Douglas ...

A warning is in effect from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. with ...

/news/2011/feb/24/winter-weather-advisory-effect-douglas-county/

Question & Answer with Amy Millan of ...

/news/2008/sep/25/question_answer_amy_millan_stars/

Q&A;: Koufax

/news/2005/sep/08/q_koufax/

Carmichael: A day in the life of ...

Compare your snow day with the adventures of Chance Carmichael.

/news/2011/feb/03/day-life-students-snow-day-adventures/

Question & answer with Keanu Reeves and ...

/news/2008/dec/11/question_answer_keanu_reeves_and_jennifer_connelly/

Al Jazeera English chief discusses U.S. media

Will Stebbins answers questions about international perspective and American news coverage.

/news/2009/apr/22/al_jazeera_english_chief_discusses_us_media/

Winter storm hits Lawrence

Two inches of snow accumulates in Lawrence as a result of the ...

/news/2011/mar/14/winter-storm-hits-lawrence/