Inclement Weather Information
Shelter Notice: UCO is not a public shelter. Community members are reminded that university facilities are not designated as public storm shelters. The university will only open shelters for our housing residents, employees and those participating in any classes or activities on campus. Community members should not attempt to come to campus to seek shelter in the event of severe weather.
Winter Weather: Watch Where You Go and Take It Slow
Along with the winter months comes inclement weather in Oklahoma. Although we don't always experience the extreme cold, ice and snow that some other states do, there are times when weather conditions present difficulty traveling to UCO, and even walking to and from class. As always, the Physical Plant Department at UCO will do everything they can to keep our parking lots clear and our sidewalks safe and dry. Maintenance crews will clear as much snow from walkways as possible before classes. In addition, they will put sand on compacted snow and ice on those walkways in order to improve traction and safety. However, to prevent permanent damage to UCO's concrete walkways, maintenance crews will be using a limited amount of salt to melt ice on the university's parking lots and sidewalks.
Download the UCO Snow Map (pdf) to learn which building entrances are prepared first during inclement weather.
Suggestions for students, faculty and staff to consider during bad winter weather conditions:
Before you leave home:
- Check the weather reports;
- Know what to expect between home and school;
- Dress warmer than you think you should, and dress in layers; you can always take a layer off if you get too warm; and,
- Think about where you are going to park when you get to school, then determine what path you will take to class or the office.
When you get to UCO:
- Walk carefully. Go slowly and take shorter steps, and watch where you step;
- It is sometimes better to walk on snow than to walk on ice. You may have to step off the sidewalk onto snow or grass where it is less slippery;
- Wear boots or shoes with good tread on the sole. If the tread is worn, it will not perform as well, just like a worn car tire; and,
- Download our winter weather tips for a complete list of tips on how to travel during inclement weather.
Watch where you go and take it slow!
UCO Closing Information
We will share information regarding closures via Centralities, UCONNECT, the UCO website, local media, the UCO Facebook page and UCO Twitter. School closings and/or delayed openings are recorded as soon as the decision is made and are updated as necessary.
If you have not already signed up for a Central Alert weather text message regarding weather closing information, sign in to your UCONNECT account and update your information on the Personal Information tab. Make sure your contact information is up-to-date, then click 'yes' on "Central Alert Opt-In Information for Weather and Closing Alerts" at the bottom of the page.
All UCO students, faculty, staff and other university personnel are encouraged to monitor Oklahoma City-area television stations, the UCO Closing Information Line, or the UCO Closing Information page on the university's Web site for information regarding potential late start or cancellation of classes and other activities on campus.
When the university is closed for weather-related purposes, scheduled events and other activities are assumed to be canceled or postponed. On occasion, classes have to be canceled or starting times delayed. When daytime classes are canceled or a late starting time is announced, all local media are called by 6:30 a.m. If evening classes are canceled, calls to the media are made beginning at 4 p.m., in time for the 5 o'clock news. Students who feel they cannot safely travel to school should contact their professor at a later time for work missed. Faculty and staff who feel they cannot safely travel to school should contact their supervisor. Please exercise caution and use common sense in making your decision to travel to school. The UCO Closing Line will give the status of which buildings are open in severe weather conditions.
Closings During Final Exams
If the university is closed or the opening is delayed during finals week, the following guidelines are in place: On the day of a delayed opening, final exams scheduled to begin prior to the opening will be canceled.
If severe weather prevents the administration of a final examination, the student's final course grade will be calculated based on the work in the course completed to that point in time and the faculty member's considered judgment as the instructor of record. Final exams will not be rescheduled, and a grade of "I" will not be given as a result of the missed exam.
Exams conducted by electronic media are not affected by this policy. Notice: At any time the university is closed, the Max Chambers Library will also be closed.