Weather-Related Closings and Delays

Winter weather can occasionally disrupt normal operations at Hiram College. While the safety of our community is our top priority, the College does not typically close or cancel classes due to cold temperatures, snow, or ice. On rare occasions, however, severe weather may require a delayed start, class cancellations, or a campus closure.

Unless you receive a direct notification from Hiram College, classes will continue as scheduled and students, faculty, and staff are expected to report to campus.

How Decisions Are Made

When inclement weather or extreme cold is forecast, the Campus Emergency Response Team (CERT) closely monitors conditions, including:

  • Major roadways leading to campus
  • On-campus roads, sidewalks, and walkways
  • The College’s ability to clear and maintain parking lots
  • Projected temperatures and wind chill levels

For extreme cold, a delay or cancellation may occur when wind chills reach—or are forecasted to reach—minus 20°F for an extended period. During winter storms, decisions are based on the severity and timing of the weather and the College’s ability to safely prepare campus.

The College aims to announce decisions:
  • By 6 a.m. for morning or full-day delays or closures
  • By 10 a.m. for changes impacting afternoon classes

If weather conditions develop overnight, every effort will be made to communicate updates before 6:30 a.m.

Campus Closed

All in-person classes are canceled, and the College is closed due to weather conditions.

What this means:
  • Classes are canceled and students should not report to campus.
  • Learning may continue remotely for affected classes at the instructor’s discretion. Instructors should communicate expectations and instructions via email and/or the course Moodle page, if applicable. Students should monitor their Hiram email and Moodle for course-related communication.  
  • Nursing students in clinical placements and Education students in student teaching should check directly with their clinical or teaching sites regarding cancellation or reporting expectations.
  • Essential operations and services that support residential students will remain open. Employees who support residential students are expected to report to work at their regularly scheduled times.
  • Non-essential employees are expected to work remotely.

Delayed Start

In some cases, the College may delay the start of the day to allow additional time for campus preparation, such as clearing walkways or waiting for temperatures to rise.

What this means:
  • Morning classes are canceled and students are not expected to report in person until the revised start time.
  • Nursing and Education students should check directly with their clinical or teaching locations for any schedule changes.
  • Essential operations and services that support residential students will remain open. Employees who support residential students are expected to report to work at their regularly scheduled times.
  • Non-essential employees are expected to work remotely during the delay and report to work at the revised start time.

In-person Classes Canceled (remote learning may continue)

In some situations, the College may remain open while in-person classes are canceled.

What this means:
  • Students are not expected to attend classes in person.
  • Learning may continue remotely for affected classes at the instructor’s discretion. Instructors should communicate expectations and instructions via email and/or the course Moodle page, if applicable. Students should monitor their Hiram email and Moodle for course-related communication.
  • Nursing students in clinical placements and Education students in student teaching should check directly with their clinical or teaching sites regarding cancellation or reporting expectations.
  • All employees are expected to report to work as normal.

Weather-related updates will be shared through the following channels, in this order:

  1. Campus-wide text message
  2. Campus-wide email (Hiram email accounts only)
  3. Notice on hiram.edu and official College social media channels
  4. Information line: 330.569.5959
  5. Local television and radio outlets (TV 3, 5, 8, 21, 27, 33; Radio WNIR, WAKR, and others throughout Cleveland, Akron, and Youngstown) will be contacted only when the College is closing or delaying the start time.

Because one or more communication methods may occasionally be unavailable, students and employees are encouraged to ensure they have access to all channels listed above.

Hiram Village Parking Ban

During winter weather events, the Village of Hiram may implement a parking ban to allow for snow removal and to maintain safe road conditions. When a parking ban is in effect, parking is not permitted on Village streets, and vehicles may be ticketed or towed at the owner’s expense. Parking bans are issued and enforced by the Village of Hiram and may occur independently of College closures, delayed starts, or class cancellations. Because a ban may be enacted while individuals are away from campus or unable to move their vehicles, vehicle owners are strongly encouraged to monitor weather forecasts and move vehicles to designated parking lots in advance when inclement weather is expected. This proactive step helps avoid enforcement actions and supports timely snow removal efforts throughout the Village.

Remote Work for Non-Essential Employees

All departments should have remote work protocols in place when the college experiences delays and closures. These protocols should address availability, response times, communication expectations, and related requirements. Employees whose duties can be performed remotely are expected to work during delays and closures. Employees whose duties cannot be performed remotely will be excused for the day when the college is closed. If there is a delay, employees are expected to report on-site according to the delay instructions. With questions about remote work, please contact HR@hiram.edu.

Questions

If you have questions about weather-related decisions or communications, please contact the Campus Emergency Response Team at CERT@hiram.edu.