In case of inclement winter weather, the university is either open or closed for everyone--faculty, staff, and students--as such weather-related closings are done in the interest of public safety. Such decisions are not based on weather forecasts, but rather on developing conditions that may lead to icing on roadways.

By policy, the university makes one of three announcements:
– UGA is open and operating on a regular schedule;
– UGA is closed.
– UGA will delay opening until a specific time.

Please do not be confused if some media report that “UGA has cancelled classes.” Winter weather closing announcements apply to all faculty, staff, and students, except those personnel--such as in public safety, physical plant, housing, and food services--previously designated by their supervisor to report in case of inclement weather.

Up-to-date information is delivered to Athens radio stations as follows:
On the A.M. dial: 960 and 1340.
On the F.M. dial: 88.9, 90.5, 91.7, 97.9, 102.1, 103.7, and 106.1.
Information is posted on University Cable Channel 15, which also is carried on Clarke/Oconee cable channel 15. You may also get it from the UGA home page, www.uga.edu, and more detailed information on the UGA Today Web site, www.uga.edu/news. An all-campus e-mail is also sent, although due to volume its delivery may not be immediate.

Winter weather in this area generally develops overnight, and every attempt is made to notify media by 6:30 a.m. Athens radio stations are used primarily, because they can give priority to UGA announcements where Atlanta stations cannot. Atlanta radio and TV stations that have requested to receive UGA closing announcements are also notified. If the weather develops during the day, the same procedures above are used, as well as notice being made to the office of each vice president and dean.

You are urged to use the above means of learning this information. Please do not telephone the UGA police, other campus offices, or the news media. During developing snow events, we have in the past experienced a slowing of the telephone system because of volume. The phone lines should be left open for priority messages.

Sometimes weather conditions are such that closings occur two or more days in a row. In such cases, this procedure is followed for each day, with an announcement being made each morning by 6:30 a.m.