Weather

UAB has improved the process for bad weather closings, and you need to know your group assignment.

Closing UAB for severe weather is not a simple process and can be frustrating for students, faculty, staff, patients and guests, waiting to know what to do. When severe weather is anticipated, decisions must be made for many different entities on campus, and announcements can be delayed or complicated, as closing does not mean the same thing for all entities across a complex academic, research and health care organization like ours.

Leaders in areas across the university and Health System have developed a system to improve the process. The new process — outlined here — will inform the campus community in a more clear and timely manner.

When UAB closes — announced via B-Alert with details at www.uab.edu/emergency — GREEN, YELLOW and RED groups will be referenced.

Group Assignments

When UAB closes for bad weather, decisions must be made and communicated for many entities/functions that react differently to a closing. Assigning students, faculty and staff to dedicated groups (GREEN, YELLOW and RED) will improve clarity around the process:

UAB Human Resources has worked with entities across the enterprise to assign units and/or job functions/titles to the GREEN, YELLOW or RED group. Every UAB student, faculty and staff member is responsible for knowing his or her assignment in the GREEN, YELLOW or RED group, and learning your group assignments is easy. Simply click on the WEATHER GROUP tile in the UAB app, or visit the Check My Group feature at www.uab.edu/emergency. Your group assignment(s) will display.

GREEN

GREEN entities/functions always close when operations are canceled for weather. Academic classes are an example of these; when UAB closes, classes are canceled for faculty and students. Employees with duties considered “non-essential” during a weather closing are also part of this group and will not report to work.
YELLOW

YELLOW entities/functions may or may not close depending on the nature of the weather event and decisions by management/supervisors. This group includes entities like the Hill Student Center and UAB clinics, which may stay open or close when academic functions at the university are canceled. Employees in this group will be required to understand their unit specific plans in addition to the global UAB plan.
RED

RED entities/functions never close and must continue to operate regardless of the weather. UAB Hospital and the UAB Police Department are examples of these.

Multiple group assignments

Group assignments are specific to one’s responsibilities. While most in the UAB community will be assigned one group, some will have two group assignments — one might require attendance, and one might be closed. Follow the instruction for each assignment.

Example 1

A student who also works as an employee in the Hill Student Center will be assigned two groups: Green for the student’s academic responsibilities and Yellow for his or her responsibilities as an employee. The student will not attend canceled classes, but he or she may need to report to work. Whether the Hill Student Center is open or closed, a supervisor will provide direction when that decision is made.
Example 2

A faculty member in a health-related school like the School of Nursing who also works at UAB Hospital will be assigned to two groups: Green for his or her faculty appointment in Nursing and Red for the hospital appointment because UAB Hospital never closes. The faculty member will not teach class but will report to the hospital to care for patients.