To: Ann Arbor Campus Faculty and Staff 
From: Martha E. Pollack, Robert A. Winfield, Laurita Thomas 
Subject: Classes canceled on Jan. 28 due to weather

Colleagues:

Ann Arbor Campus classes have been canceled on Tuesday, Jan. 28, because of extreme wind chill temperatures, expected to be as low as – 30 degrees. The cancelation includes classroom and laboratory instruction. The suspension of classes will help students avoid long campus walks and extended time waiting outdoors for bus transportation.

Campus operations will continue. However, while staff should plan to report as usual, we ask that supervisors be flexible and make reasonable accommodations for these extreme circumstances. Travel may be hazardous, especially on foot or by bus, and we ask that all of our colleagues remain sensitive to safety concerns. Parking and Transportation Services is increasing bus frequency to help minimize wait times.

Staff who are unable or choose not to travel to campus on Tuesday should contact their supervisors to use vacation time or unpaid time off.

Please also consider holding meetings by phone or video technology if they would require faculty and staff to travel or walk long distances while extraordinarily low wind chill temperatures persist.

When outdoors at home or on campus, remember to dress appropriately. Relatively short periods of exposure to these temperatures can be hazardous, and faculty, staff and students are encouraged to stay indoors as much as possible. 

Faculty members with questions should contact their department chair or dean’s office. Staff members should contact their supervisors.

A university committee has just begun to examine policies and practices regarding reduced operations related to extreme weather.

Martha E. Pollack
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Robert A. Winfield, M.D.
Chief Health Officer

Laurita Thomas
Associate Vice President for Human Resources