Introduction
In the interest of safety for Richland students and staff, the Campus may be closed and/or classes cancelled due to hazardous conditions.
RCC classes taught off campus (including Distance Learning classes) are cancelled when those District schools are closed. The Clinton Center will follow the same closing procedures as the main RCC campus. The Clinton Center may remain open even if the Clinton Schools are closed.
Campus/Class Cancellation
The decision to cancel classes and/or close the Campus rests with the College President. In the event of hazardous weather conditions or threats to public safety (building safety, catastrophic events, interruption of public services and/or utilities, etc.,), the Vice President of Finance and Administration in consultation with the Vice President of Student and Academic Services will make a cancellation/closure recommendation to the President.
In the absence of the Vice President of Finance and Administration, the following administrative decision making responsibility order will be observed:
- Vice President of Student and Academic Services
- Director of Human Resources
- Executive Director of Public Information/Chief of Staff
Canceling Classes and/or Closing the Campus
Classes may be cancelled and/or the campus closed as follows:
- Before the Beginning of a School Day
- If the decision is made to cancel classes and/or close the campus prior to the start of the school day, a decision will be made by 5:30 a.m. and communicated to the media.
- During the Day When Classes are in Session
- If the decision is made to cancel classes and/or close the campus during the school day, a decision will be made as soon as possible, but no later than 3 p.m., and communicated to the media.
Cancellation/Closing Procedures
When the decision is made to cancel classes and/or close the campus, the following procedures will be followed:
- The Vice President of Finance and Administration will contact the Vice President of Student and Academic Services, the Executive Director of Public Information/Chief of Staff, and the Director of Human Resources. Each of the staff will contact their individual staff members, as needed.
- Closing of the campus or canceling classes will include all classes and special events at the Main Campus, the Richland Hope Academy Center, the Clinton Center, distance learning and other off-campus classes.
- The decision to cancel classes and/or close the campus will be communicated as follows:
- Signs regarding campus closings will be posted at all entrances/exits.
- A message will be sent to the Internal (TV) Display System(s).
- Voice mail and e-mail announcements will be made.
- The outside electronic message board(s) will be updated.
- The switchboard, Bookstore, Food Service, Horticulture Lab, Richland Hope Academy Center, Clinton Center, Continuing and Professional Education (scheduled Shilling events), Hope Academy and individuals scheduled to work later hours will be notified.
- The telephone greeting will be updated.
- A skeletal crew will be identified to stay, if deemed necessary by VP(s) and hours determined.
- Decatur Transit will be notified.
- Expected visitors (speakers, committee members, etc.) to the campus will be notified by the appropriate person.
- Web page will be updated as required.
- The Executive Director of Public Information/Chief of Staff will contact the local media
- Television Stations: WAND, WCIA, WICS, and WICD
- FM Radio Stations: Y103 (WSOY FM), WDZQ, WEJT, The Party (WYDS), The Fox (WZNX), US 101 (WZUS), WXFM, WDKR, WMKR, WTIM, WRAN
- AM Radio Stations: WSOY, WDZ, WHOW
- When it becomes necessary to completely vacate the building, the Director of Operations and Technical Services will coordinate the effort in conjunction with the administrative staff.
- When the campus is closed during a normal school day, staff will be notified of the closing time. Staff who elects to leave the campus prior to the designated closing time must use vacation or compensatory time.
