As the seasons change and the chance of winter weather storms increases, Nebraska students, faculty and staff are reminded that UNL Alert— the same system that announces campus emergencies — will issue emails and text messages conveying weather-related closings.

The university provides up-to-the-minute details to a variety of devices. Text messages are only sent to those who have added their cellphone to the messaging options. Learn more about the university’s alert system.

Decisions to close the campus for inclement weather are based on a number of safety factors, including current and near future weather predictions, road conditions within the city of Lincoln and the area, access to the city via highways and roads, the condition of campus parking lots and sidewalks and guidance from local and emergency management agencies.

Video: Real Obvious — Automatic UNL Alert Sign-Up

Weather-related closures are made available several ways:

• They will be posted to the university’s main webpage, as well as to the university’s social-media channels such as Twitter (@UNLincoln, @NebToday, @UNLPD and Facebook;

• Radio and TV stations will be notified of closures by 5 a.m. for day classes and 2 p.m. for night classes;

• Site-specific off-campus closings will be made by the responsible administrator and communicated locally; and

• Athletic and performing arts events may or may not be affected. In the event of a closure, ticket-holders to athletic events or on-campus performances should call ahead to see if those events will be held.

Certain positions, such as police and snow-removal personnel, have been identified as essential during weather closings. Those employees are made aware of the designation when hired. Employees should assume they are not needed during weather emergencies and should not go to campus unless they have been told otherwise.

When the university is closed because of inclement weather, all regular office/service and managerial/professional personnel scheduled to work will be considered on paid administrative leave. Essential employees who work during a weather shutdown will receive time off at a later date. At departmental discretion, regular hourly paid employees may receive additional pay in lieu of time off.

Nebraska’s policy on inclement weather pay/leave and payroll procedures is available online.