·¬ÇÑÉçÇø

Info for faculty and staff

UVic only interrupts regular operations under exceptional circumstances. We make every effort to remain open during snow and other disrupting weather.

If adverse weather results in the closure of the UVic campus, information will be posted at uvic.ca and on  and . We will use UVic Alerts (text message, email, UVic SafetyApp push notification) to notify the campus community if a delayed opening or campus closure is required.

Unit plans for reduced services / campus closure

Each unit should have a plan for if the university cancels on-campus classes or reduces/cancels on-campus services due to disrupting weather.

Leaders should identify in advance:

  • staff that can or do work remotely
  • those who normally work on campus and would not be able to perform their job duties during a campus closure
  • staff who are necessary for the continued operation and safety of campus

Units should have procedures to notify students, faculty, librarians and staff when on-campus classes and services are cancelled.

If staff are required on campus for the continued operation and safety of campus, these positions must be pre-designated. Staff need to be aware in advance of their roles in a closure.

Contact your unit leader if you’re uncertain about your unit's plans and whether you would be required on campus during a closure.

Getting to campus

As a general rule, if BC Transit buses are travelling to and from the university, we will remain open. Give yourself extra time to reach campus. When on campus, slow down, watch for icy roads or pathways and choose appropriate footwear.

We recognize that weather may delay or prevent you from coming to campus to work. Please notify your supervisor if you do not have a safe travel option and are unable to get to campus.

Staff absences

UVic has worked to minimize the possibility that you will lose pay if you arrive late or are unable to get to campus due to weather.

Your manager may allow you to work from home or leave early, on a case-by-case basis. Depending on your collective agreement, you may apply to use vacation days, banked overtime or may be allowed to make up the time later.

Faculty and librarian absences

You’re expected to attend commitments virtually or reschedule classes, exams, meetings or appointments to support the operational needs of the department and minimize negative impacts on students and others.

Faculty are expected to arrange on-campus classroom coverage if you’re unable to get to campus due to winter weather.

Frequently asked questions

Transportation and travel

How do I know if my bus route is operating?

Get updates on the .

The bus that I take to work is not running and it is too far or unsafe for me to try to walk to another bus route. Am I expected to still try to get to work?

Contact your manager/supervisor and let them know that you are unable to travel to campus.

Faculty and librarians should notify their supervisor and make suitable arrangements if they expect to miss an on-campus class or meeting.

I live far from campus and the road/ferry is unsafe or not operational. Can I work from home?

Check with your manager/supervisor.

If I need to stay on campus overnight due to the road conditions what are my options?

Residence Services may have a small number of beds/rooms available for the night for a fee. If these are not available and you are not able to leave campus, please contact Campus Security.

Can someone do something about the traffic on Ring Road? Are there people who can direct traffic?

UVic is not able to provide staff to direct traffic on Ring Road as this is a municipal road. Please use extra caution and be patient and courteous.

Why are parking lots not always completely clear of snow?

Snow clearing in parking lots is done based on the campus snow clearing priority list.

Depending on factors including time of year, day of week, time of day and current and future weather, decisions may be made to either delay or adjust the snow clearing in parking lots.

If the university closes do the BC Transit buses stop coming to campus?

Buses are expected to travel to and from campus unless BC Transit decides to reduce or stop service due to disrupting road conditions. Some bus routes may experience modified service. Make sure to check the for current information.

Has my bus stop moved during the campus closure? Are buses still servicing Ring Road?

Buses will stop on Ring Road unless they are full or the bus stops are not available due to road conditions. Buses can fill up before they leave the UVic bus loop. Full buses will not stop along Ring Road unless they are stopping to let passengers off.

Is there a place indoors on campus where I can wait for my bus?

The Student Union Building common areas will remain open for several hours after a campus closure.

What if I feel uncomfortable about driving home from campus due to poor road conditions? Will I get a parking ticket if I leave my car overnight?

If the campus has been closed due to snow, cars on campus may park overnight without worry of a parking citation.

In the event of a campus closure, what is the best way to leave campus?

Roads may be quickly congested with departing traffic, so it may take time to get off campus. You may choose to wait on campus until road congestion has eased.


Pay and hours

I cannot get to campus due to unsafe road conditions. What do I do? Will I be paid?

UVic has worked to minimize the possibility that you will lose pay if you are unable to get to campus due to weather.

Your manager may allow you to work from home, on a case-by-case basis. Depending on your collective agreement, you may apply to use vacation days, banked overtime or may be allowed to make up the time later.

Will I get paid if I leave early due to snow conditions along my travel route?

UVic has worked to minimize the possibility that you will lose pay if you are unable to work on campus due to weather.

Your manager may allow you to work from home or leave early, on a case-by-case basis. Depending on your collective agreement, you may apply to use vacation days, banked overtime or may be allowed to make up the time later.

If the campus is closed due to severe weather, what happens to staff who are scheduled to work on campus?

Check with your supervisor for instructions and to determine if you are required to maintain the continued safe operation of campus. Normally, staff who are scheduled to work on campus and who can work remotely should work from home.

I am currently working remotely. If the campus closes because of a snow closure, do I need to continue working?

In most circumstances you are expected to continue working remotely.

During a campus closure academic and administrative functions that are available remotely will continue. The campus closure only applies to activities that must occur on the physical campus. Contact your supervisor if you aren’t sure if a physical closure of the campus affects you.

How do I know if I am required to stay at work on campus during a closure due to snow?

Check with your manager or supervisor to determine if your function is necessary for the continued operation or safety of the campus.

The campus closed at noon. I am scheduled to work on-campus at 3 p.m. today. Do I need to come to work?

No, unless you are in a position deemed to be necessary for the continued operation or safety of the campus. Check with your manager or supervisor to confirm.

I am required to work on campus even though campus is closed. Will I be paid double or will I get time off?

Staff who are required to work on campus during the closure will be paid according to their collective agreement or any other agreement between the university and that union. Check your collective agreement for details.

If I leave work early due to weather conditions, what sort of leave do I access?

Check your collective agreement. UVic has worked to minimize the possibility that you will lose pay if you are unable to work on campus due to weather.

Depending on your collective agreement, you may apply to use vacation days, banked overtime, or, subject to scheduling and operational requirements, may be allowed to make up the time later.

I am currently not working remotely but my job is such that it is possible for me to work remotely. Am I allowed to do that in a snow closure?

If you can work remotely during a campus closure, you are expected to do so.

Will I be paid if I cannot work because my child’s school has closed and I have not been able to make alternative child care arrangements?

Depending on your collective agreement, you may apply to use vacation days, banked overtime, or, subject to scheduling and operational requirements, may be allowed to make up the time later.

If I am staff and have booked flex days, how does that affect me?

Your time continues to be recorded as flex days. The reporting of your flex days is not impacted when the university closes due to extreme weather.

During my vacation the university closed due to extreme weather. How do I record that time on my leave report?

Your time continues to be recorded as vacation. The reporting of your vacation is not impacted when the university closes due to extreme weather.

Can managers allow staff to leave work by request?

Yes. Managers have the discretion to allow employees to leave early. These requests are handled on a case-by-case basis.

The university's practice with respect to pay has been to take reasonable steps to minimize the possibility that staff would lose pay if they are unable to come to their normal work location on campus, or arrive late, due to these circumstances.

Depending on the collective agreement, staff may apply to use vacation days, banked overtime, or, subject to scheduling and operational requirements, may be allowed to make up the time later.

Our work area on campus has decided to leave, yet the campus has not closed. Will all the staff in this area be paid?

Managers have the discretion to allow employees to leave early, but an employee must first request permission to leave campus early. These requests are handled on a case-by-case basis. Staff who leave without prior approval from their manager will be considered absent without leave.

The university's practice with respect to pay for an approved leave in this circumstance has been to take reasonable steps to minimize the possibility that staff would lose pay if they are unable to come to their normal work location on-campus, or arrive late, due to these circumstances.

Depending on the collective agreement, staff may apply to use vacation days, banked overtime, or, subject to scheduling and operational requirements, may be allowed to make up the time later.


Teaching, research and exams

If I am teaching, do I need to release my in-person (on-campus) class if I receive word that the campus has closed?

It is recommended that you wrap up the activities in your on campus class/lab at a point that makes sense within your lesson so students can begin their journey home.

Please do not start any new classes or activities once you hear that on-campus classes have been cancelled.

If I am conducting research in my lab on-campus can my students and I keep working?

It is recommended that people wrap up their activities at a point that allows for an orderly conclusion.

Campus closure due to winter weather is not an emergency. However, students may want to finish their tasks and leave campus when they are ready. The university will not force people to leave the campus.

I’m scheduled to invigilate/deliver an on-campus exam. What do I do if the campus is closed? When will it be rescheduled? What happens if I’m not available at that time?

All in person exams are cancelled during a campus closure. Instructors will work with the Office of the Registrar to determine if the exam can be rescheduled, as determined by the instructor or chair, or if another option will be made available.


Services

What services will remain open in the event of a closure?

Services necessary for the continued operation and safety of the campus will be staffed. These include:

  • Campus Security (including Safe Walk)
  • Residence Services (CLs, NMs)
  • The Cove

Other services on campus are closed.

My child’s school has closed. Can I leave to go get my children?

Staff should check with their manager/supervisor for approval before leaving work. 

Faculty and librarians should make suitable arrangements if they are in the middle of teaching or expect to miss a class and to notify their chair.


For safety, snow removal and event information, see our general FAQs.