Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is a commuter institution and recognizes the commitments that its employees and students make to attend work, classes, and events. In that regard, Penn Highlands will remain open and operational unless extreme weather conditions or other emergencies do not permit it to do so.
In consultation with key administrative staff, the responsibility for the decision to close rests with the College President. In the case of severe weather which limits the College from safely opening, the College will close as a unit. In a localized emergency or weather condition, a campus or center may be closed individually at the direction of the Center Director, in consultation with the College President.
It is not the College’s intention to place any student or employee into a perilous situation. Therefore individuals must exercise discretion in determining what actions they wish to take in weather or other college-related emergency situations. Employees may use paid leave time to avoid unsafe travel and the College has asked our faculty to provide for a liberal leave policy for students who are unable to travel due to inclement weather. The College does not strictly follow the delays and cancellations of local school districts.
Inclement Weather Situations
Snow/Weather Emergency
All College locations are closed because driving conditions are hazardous. All classes will be canceled. Instructors are encouraged to find creative ways to make up lost seat time, but cannot require students to meet in a virtual setting.
Early Dismissal
In this case, the College has already opened with students and employees present on-site, with the weather situation becoming increasingly dangerous. All classes will be canceled after the early dismissal. Instructors are encouraged to find creative ways to make up lost seat time, but cannot require students to meet in a virtual setting. If the Richland Campus closes, all locations will also close. However, if the Richland Campus is open, then it is possible that some other locations may close due to inclement weather affecting that individual location.
Delayed Start: Weather Emergency/Caution
College remains open, but driving conditions may be hazardous in some areas. During a delayed start, employees and students will usually report at 9:30 AM unless otherwise indicated. If the Richland Campus closes, all locations will also close. However, if the Richland Campus is open, then it is possible that some other locations may close due to inclement weather affecting that individual location.
For students and faculty, if a class is scheduled from:
- To start before 9:30 AM and the College start time is delayed until 9:30 AM – Do not report the class regardless of whether it is in-person or online.
- To start at or after 9:30 AM and College start time is delayed until 9:30 AM – Report to the class.
Inclement Weather Decision Timelines
When possible. notice of closings, delays, or early dismissal sent to students, employees, and the public:
- Before 9:00 PM (the day before) if inclement weather is imminent.
- Between 5:00-5:15 AM if inclement weather is possible, but not imminent.
- A minimum notice of two hours shall be given, if possible, for any changes to the teaching and operating schedule.
Other Notes
- The College will make every effort to announce delays or cancellations at least two hours prior to the scheduled start of class.
- Messages will appear on the College’s website and social media and will be broadcast on local radio and television stations as well as through the PeakTXT emergency text message notification system.
- Classes scheduled to begin at or after a delayed start time will meet. Classes scheduled to start prior to a delay but end following the delay will begin at the time the College opens. Classes scheduled to start and end before a delayed start will not meet.
- If at all possible, delayed classes will begin at a time to accommodate the class schedule.