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Inclement Weather Closure Policy

Before making a decision to alter the college schedule due to current or predicted inclement weather, a team of college personnel who reside throughout (and outside of) the WCC service region consult with each other as well as the Virginia State Police regarding road conditions. In addition, we also contact the National Weather Service and review a variety of weather-specific web sites for their forecasts, especially when there are predictions for more bad weather. In order to make a timely decision, these activities are conducted late in the evening and early in the morning during periods of current or predicted inclement weather.

We cannot stress firmly enough that the safety of our students and college employees always comes first and their safety is our utmost priority when making an inclement weather closing/opening decision. As long as conditions are safe on college property and on the major roads leading to college facilities, the college will be open - either on a regular or delayed schedule. College staff members work very hard to ensure that the college walking and driving areas are safe for pedestrian and motor vehicle traffic before we allow people on campus or at our off-campus sites.

As citizens, we expect all other businesses in the area (restaurants, health care facilities, banks, service stations, convenience stores, shopping centers, etc.) to remain open despite weather conditions. The expectation for WCC should be no different. Unlike the public primary and secondary school systems, colleges do not provide transportation for students, nor is attending college a mandatory activity. Attending college is a personal choice and college students are expected to individually, or in consultation with family members, make a decision as to whether or not conditions are safe for them to drive to a college location to attend classes - just as they make a decision about going to work or patronizing any business.

College administrators and faculty members understand that during times of inclement weather some students (and college employees) live in areas that receive differing levels of precipitation, but conditions in and around college facilities may not warrant closing the college. Students who have concerns about the safety of traveling to class should contact their instructors about their individual situation and make arrangements for staying current with class assignments. Likewise, faculty members are responsible for contacting students if/when they are unable to conduct classes so that students do not needlessly come to a college location.

By working together, disruptions to classes and other college operations can be minimized. We thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Day Classes

Decisions concerning the closing or late opening of Wytheville Community College due to inclement weather will be made by college officials early each day. The stations listed below will be contacted as soon as the decision to close school is rendered, which in all probability will be prior to 6:30 a.m.

Students, faculty, and staff are urged to listen to the radio or television for information concerning school closing, or call the main campus at 276-223-4700. Do not be influenced by announcements concerning the public school system as the College is not a part of that system.

Evening Classes

Decisions concerning the cancellations of WCC on-campus and regional site evening classes will be made between 3:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. and will be announced in the same manner as used for cancellation of day classes.