Know the difference between a closing and a delay.

Winter weather is here!

Take three steps to make sure you are prepared.

1. Get the message.

a. Notifications of closings and delayed starts will be sent to your email, via text to your cell phone and via automated message to your phone.

b. Make sure you will receive those messages by logging in to your Online Center and making sure your cell phone number is listed as “mobile,” and your preferred email address is listed.

2. Know the difference between “GRCC – Delay,” “GRCC Closed – DAY Classes,” and “GRCC – Closed”

a. “GRCC – Delay” means:

– Campus Police and Custodial staff are to report as scheduled.

– Faculty and Staff report at 10 a.m.

– Classes or activities that begin at 11 a.m. or later will be held as scheduled.

b. “GRCC – Closed” means

– Cancellation of all GRCC day and evening classes and activities on all campuses.

c. “GRCC Closed – DAY Classes” means:

– Cancellation of all GRCC day classes and activities on all campuses

– The determination to open for the evening will be made by 2 p.m.

– Second shift Campus Police and Custodial staff report as scheduled.

– Library staff report at 5 p.m.

– Classes that begin 6 p.m. or later will be held as scheduled.

– Certain academic departments will need additional protocol to handle implications.

3. Read the GRCC Emergency Closing Procedures 

Reminder – Tornado Drills Scheduled for This Week

Given the unseasonably warm – and unpredictable – weather we’ve been experiencing, the emergency response is planning a series of tornado drills in preparation for inclement spring weather.  For a list of evacuation locations in the event of a tornado, visit www.grcc.edu/tornado

These will take place April 4-5; below is the schedule for your review and for your planning purposes:

Tentative Tornado Drill Schedule:

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

• Spectrum Theater 8:15 AM
• ATC 8:45 AM
• LRC 9:15 AM
• Music Building 9:45 AM

Thursday, April 5

• Calkins Science Center 8:45 AM
• Ford Field House 9:15 AM
• Student Center 9:45 AM
• Cook & College Park Plaza 10:15 AM
• Main 10:45 AM
• DeVos Campus | Sneden, White Hall & Admin Building 11:30 AM
• Tassell MTEC 2:00 PM

Thank you in advance for your participation. Please contact theCommunications Department with your questions.

Tornado Drills Scheduled for Next Week

Given the unseasonably warm – and unpredictable – weather we’ve been experiencing, the emergency response is planning a series of tornado drills in preparation for inclement spring weather. These will take place April 4-5; below is the schedule for your review and for your planning purposes:

Tentative Tornado Drill Schedule:

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

• Spectrum Theater 8:15 AM
• ATC 8:45 AM
• LRC 9:15 AM
• Music Building 9:45 AM

Thursday, April 5

• Calkins Science Center 8:45 AM
• Ford Field House 9:15 AM
• Student Center 9:45 AM
• Cook & College Park Plaza 10:15 AM
• Main 10:45 AM
• DeVos Campus | Sneden, White Hall & Admin Building 11:30 AM
• Tassell MTEC 2:00 PM

Thank you in advance for your participation. Please contact the Communications Department with your questions.

Inclement Weather Policy Update – New Service Added

Winter is Predicted to Return to West Michigan.

Please take a moment today to familiarize yourself with GRCC’s inclement weather procedures and the related messaging, which can be found at grcc.edu/weather.

Also, please remember that the inclement weather policy now allows for a morning weather delay. In the event of a weather delay, employees report at 10:00 AM, and classes that begin at 11:30 AM or later will be held as scheduled.

In the event of inclement weather, GRCC will communicate via email, text message, website announcement, social media sites and local media outlets.

NEW! In addition to the above mentioned methods of communication, employees will also receive a robo-call to the telephone number on record with Human Resources. This call is an automatic phone message generated from our emergency communication system. The phone number that will be displayed is 616.234.4722.

To sign up for text messaging, please log in to Blackboard and navigate to “Mobile Preferences” under the Tools menu.

Want Timely Updates About the Status of GRCC During Severe Weather? – Sign up for Text Message Alerts

Why are you waiting around in the morning watching a scrolling marquee on your TV to find out if GRCC is open or closed?  Sign up for emergency text message alerts!

Getting notification via text messages is superior to using the local media – here’s why:

1. Text Messages are Faster: during the last inclement weather cancelation, users subscribed to the text messages/emails received them at 5:46 a.m. – even though that information was sent to the local media around the same time, some news outlets didn’t air it until 6:47 a.m.
2. Text Messages are More Accurate: just like the child’s game “telephone” – the more people a message goes through, the more chances it has to be misheard or misinterpreted. Text messages come directly from college leadership.

Using Rave Wireless, you can opt to receive either a text message OR an email OR BOTH.  (The college is also looking into providing robo-calls as yet another option).

www.grcc.edu/textmessage

GRCC will still notify the local media for those who don’t have Internet Access or Cell Phones – but the Emergency Planning Team wants to make sure you have access to this information as quickly as it can be provided.

Raider Safety Reminder

The recent bouts of severe weather are a reminder that it’s important to stay up on GRCC’s various crisis policies and procedures.  For information, instructional videos, and other resources, visit www.grcc.edu/raidersafety.  Remember – employees and students can also sign up for instant alerts about crises and campus closings via text message or email at www.grcc.edu/textmessage

*Revised: GRCC Closing at 3pm (12/9/09)

As a result of the inclement weather, all GRCC classes are cancelled at 3:00 pm and all GRCC locations will close.  Everyone must be off campus by 3pm.  In addition, all evening activities (including the Diversity Lecture Series featuring Morris Dees) are also cancelled.

Also, the Winter semester tuition and fees due date has been extended to Friday December 11 at Midnight.

As a reminder, GRCC’s policy regarding inclement weather is available at www.grcc.edu/weather .