University Policies and Procedures Manual

WSU Pullman Suspended Operations

UPPM 50.41

For more information contact:
   Office of Emergency Management
   509-335-7471 / emergencymanagement@wsu.edu
   Office of the President
   509-335-4200 / president@wsu.edu

1.0     Overview and Purpose

There are emergencies that may require the University to suspend some or all operations at the Pullman campus. (See also UPPM 50.40 for University-wide procedures regarding suspended operations.)

2.0    Applicability

This section provides procedures regarding evaluation of and response to emergencies that may affect WSU Pullman. See the following policies for other WSU locations:

3.0    Procedures

3.1      Moving Normal Operations to Suspended Operations

At the WSU Pullman campus, the President or designee may move the campus from normal operations to suspended operations when an emergency is imminent or active.

When WSU Pullman moves from normal to suspended operations, the presumption is that the University returns to normal operations the following day unless the President or designee communicates otherwise.

Students and employees should check WSU Alert for the current status of suspended operations.

3.2     Status of Emergency Conditions

For a change in operations (e.g., closure or delay) that is not due to inclement weather (see Section 4.4 below) and does not constitute a timely warning (see UPPM 50.72), the Office of the President (or designee) calls a meeting of the Critical Incident Management Team (CIMT) via Zoom or conference call.

Membership of the CIMT includes:

  • Vice President for Institutional Affairs and Chief Administrative Officer (or designee)
  • Vice Provost for Academic Administration and Chief of Staff (or designee)
  • Vice President and Chief Human Resource Officer (or designee)
  • Vice Provost for Student Affairs (or designee)
  • Vice President for System Communications and Strategy (or designee)
  • Chief of Police, WSU Police (or designee)
  • Other subject matter experts, as needed

For changes in operations due to inclement weather, see Section 4.4.

3.2.a  Personnel Notified

The recommendation of the CIMT is then shared with the President by the Vice President for Institutional Affairs and Chief Administrative Officer (or designee). The President then determines if WSU Pullman moves to suspended operations.

Following the President’s decision, the Vice President for Institutional Affairs and Chief Administrative Officer (or designee) notifies the following of the decision, the reason behind the decision, and course of action to be taken:

  • CIMT
  • Office of Emergency Management
  • WSU Marketing and Communications

If a change in operations is approved, the Vice President for Institutional Affairs and Chief Administrative Officer (or designee) approves the release of emergency alert messaging.

3.2.b  Public Notification

The WSU Office of Emergency Management releases all emergency alerts through the WSU mass notification alert system (see UPPM 50.40). Marketing and Communications manages all other internal and external communications.

3.2.b.i           College/Department/Unit Responsibilities

All colleges, divisions, departments, and other operating units must develop Emergency Response Plans and Continuity of Operations Plans, in accordance with UPPM 50.38 and UPPM 50.39. In addition to other Emergency Response and Continuity of Operations responsibilities, the purpose of these plans is to:

  • Prepare for emergencies;
  • Ensure that administrators, faculty, staff, and students are informed of the suspended operations or closure of offices within the area;
  • Ensure that administrators, faculty, staff, and students are informed of the postponement of special events or activities; and
  • Reinforce the communication of any decisions reached by the President (or designee).

WSU Pullman deans, executive vice presidents, and vice presidents are to exercise discretion in determining essential services and minimal staffing levels in accordance with UPPM 60.40 and applicable leave policies. Additional guidelines related to suspended operations are available from the Human Resource Services (HRS) Suspended Operations website.

3.3     Limitations

The procedures above are not intended to cover all possible eventualities. The University administration assumes that the decision-making and relevant communications are adapted, as appropriate, to suit the circumstances. The University administration does not assume that all individuals who may be coming to campus or on campus can be notified of an emergency.

4.0   Requirements

Various types of emergencies may occur at WSU Pullman that could require differing responses and affect different units on campus.

4.1     Campus Conditions

The designated department personnel and triage team, based on University impact, presents University leadership with relevant information and updates regarding campus conditions, public safety, and applicable health impacts after an emergency.

4.2     Decision Timeline

As soon as possible before or during an emergency, University leadership make decisions about the operational status of the campus and related facilities. In the case of imminent danger to people and/or buildings (i.e., fire or active shooter), decisions are made after the affected area is secure and the scene is stable.

4.3     Applicable Suspended Operations Resources

The table below lists possible emergencies that may occur on the WSU Pullman campus. Responsible department(s) and/or personnel that work with the triage team and keep University leadership abreast of the situation are identified in the table, along with other resources that may assist the triage team as needed.

Emergency

Responsible Dept.

Other Resources

Inclement Weather

See Section 4.4

Active Shooter

WSU Police

WSU Public Safety, HRS, Cougar Health Svcs (CHS), Counseling and Psychological Svcs.

Bomb Threat/Explosive Device

WSU Police

WSU Public Safety, Facilities, and local law enforcement agencies

Fire

WSU Fire Safety and Compliance

WSU Facilities, Police, EHS, Risk Mgmt., and local fire depts.

Wildfire Smoke

Environmental Health & Safety (EHS)

WSU Facilities and CHS

Hazardous Materials – Biological/Radioactive Releases

Office of Research 

WSU Facilities, EHS, CHS, Public Safety, and local response agencies

Hazardous Materials – Chemical Releases

EHS

WSU Facilities, OR, CHS, Public Safety, and local response agencies

Nuclear Reactor Event

Nuclear Science Center

WSU Public Safety and local response agencies

Public Health Communicable Disease

CHS

Local response agencies

Utility

Facilities Services

EHS, OR, CHS, Public Safety, and local response agencies

4.4    Inclement Weather Emergency

4.4.a  Campus Conditions

WSU Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) monitors weather conditions year-round in collaboration with the National Weather Service.

When inclement weather is forecasted for the Pullman campus or surrounding community, EHS notifies the Vice President for Institutional Affairs and Chief Administrative Officer (or designee) and Vice Provost for Academic Administration and Chief of Staff (or designee). The Vice President for Institutional Affairs and Chief Administrative Officer (or designee) initiates the response process as needed.

4.4.b Convening the Critical Incident Management Team (CIMT)

If inclement weather is forecasted for the Pullman campus or surrounding community that may require a change in operations, the Inclement Weather subgroup of the CIMT is called together to evaluate the weather event.

For overnight/early morning weather events, the CIMT Inclement Weather subgroup is typically convened between 4:00–4:30 a.m. on the morning of the anticipated event. Whenever possible, advance notice is given the evening prior via Teams chat, indicating that an early meeting may be necessary.

If an inclement weather event is expected to affect evening classes and operations, a decision should be reached no later than 4:00 p.m. to allow time to provide appropriate notice.

A weather emergency may be declared at any time, if conditions necessitate doing so.

4.4.b.i Meeting Notification

If a meeting of the CIMT Inclement Weather subgroup is required, the Vice President for Institutional Affairs and Chief Administrative Officer (or designee) sends notification of a pending meeting to members via email, Teams, and text message. This includes (but is not limited to):

  • Cougar Athletics
  • Environmental Health and Safety
  • Facilities Services
  • Human Resource Services
  • Office of Emergency Management
  • Office of the President
  • Office of the Provost
  • Student Affairs
  • Transportation Services
  • University Marketing and Communications
  • WSU Police
4.4.b.ii Meeting Discussion & Recommendations

Weather conditions are discussed, and subject matter experts provide status updates and recommendations on operational changes (e.g., closure or delay).

  • EHS: Updates from National Weather Service, heavy equipment (if not on the call), weather prediction tools
  • WSU Police: Relevant updates from other law enforcement agencies, including road condition reports outside of Pullman
  • Transportation Services: Impacts to Pullman Transit service (if available)
  • Other updates/information

If a change in operations is recommended, the following areas provide updates about possible impacts:

  • Student Affairs
    • Operations: dining, recreation, Compton Union Building/Chinook, Cougar Health, residence halls
    • Event programming
  • Athletics
    • Scheduled competitions/practices
  • Academic Affairs
    • Course modality/scheduling
    • Prospective student tours/visits
    • Event programming
  • Other impacts

The members of the CIMT then stay on the call to finalize the recommendation, with ex-officio support from EHS and the Office of Emergency Management.

4.4.b.iii Decision & Communication

The CIMT’s recommendation is shared with the President (or designee) by the Vice President for Institutional Affairs and Chief Administrative Officer (or designee). After the President’s decision:

  • The Vice President for Institutional Affairs and Chief Administrative Officer (or designee) notifies the CIMT subgroup of the decision, reason, and course of action.
  • If a change in operations is approved, Emergency Management, in coordination with Marketing and Communications, prepares and releases the WSU Alert.
  • WSU Pullman social media shares the alert content.
  • The Office of the President provides follow-up notification (via Teams) to the Campus Chiefs of Staff.
  • CIMT Subgroup members share the decision with their administrators and reporting units.

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Revisions:  Sept. 2026 (Rev. 658); May 2022 (Rev. 594); May 2014 – new policy (Rev. 431).