Campus Delay and Closing Procedures
Information
The decision to delay or close campus is based on several factors. Instances in which the college may close include winter weather conditions or power outages, in addition to any other unexpected instances that prevent normal business operations.
Process
Procedures to Close the College
- GRCC Police and Facilities personnel assess campus and road conditions, including additional information from city, county, and state resources as needed.
- The GRCC Chief of Police (or designee) contacts the College President (or designee) and a decision is made.
- If the decision to delay or close is made, the Communications Department is notified and communication procedures are implemented.
When winter weather conditions seem imminent, the above-listed areas will decide who the appointed contact people will be, in advance, to avoid confusion and duplication of efforts.
Communicating with Employees and Students
- The decision to delay or close GRCC (or specific locations) will be made as early as possible and communicated through standard methods including:
- The college’s Rave emergency notification system (email, phone, and text message).
- The grcc.edu website.
- A recorded phone message on the college's main phone line and local news media outlets.
- Emergency Phone Alert Systems if classes are already in session.
- Rave Alert Enrollment:
- Managing Notifications:
- To update contact preferences or stop notifications, log into the Rave portal (opens in a new window).
- To stop text messaging only, text STOP to 226-787 or 67283. Text START to the same numbers to re-enable.
- If the college closes, employees need not report to work, with the exception of designated personnel identified in advance by their supervisors.
- If conditions worsen throughout the day, a determination for evening activities will occur as soon as possible.
- If a particular campus is closed, all activities on that campus are canceled.
Message Definitions
- "GRCC – Delay": Morning classes and activities are canceled on the downtown Main and DeVos campuses, Lakeshore Campus, Tassell M-TEC, and at Regional Sites.
- GRCC Police and Custodial staff report as scheduled.
- Faculty and Staff report at 10 a.m.
- Classes beginning at 11 a.m. or later are held as scheduled.
- "GRCC – Closed": Cancellation of all GRCC day and evening classes and activities at all campuses and Regional Sites.
- "GRCC Closed – DAY Classes": Cancellation of all GRCC day classes and activities. A determination for evening classes will be made by 2 p.m.
- Second shift GRCC Police and Custodial staff report as scheduled.
- Library staff report at 5 p.m.
- Classes beginning at 6 p.m. or later are held as scheduled.
Kent County Regional Sites
Closings may occur separately at Caledonia and Rockford locations:
- Daytime: If the school district cancels daytime operations but holds evening activities, GRCC will hold its classes.
- Evening: If the host site cancels evening activities, GRCC classes at that site are canceled (typically decided by 3 p.m.).
Early/Middle College and Concurrent Enrollment
- These classes are dependent on the host high school or ISD. If the host location is delayed or closed, these programs will not meet.
Ottawa County (Lakeshore Campus)
The Lakeshore Campus is not always tied to the Grand Rapids campus for closings.
- "GRCC Ottawa County – Weather Delay": Morning classes canceled; staff report at 10 a.m.; classes starting at 11 a.m. or later are held.
- "GRCC Ottawa County – Closed": All day and evening classes are canceled.
- "GRCC Ottawa County – Closed – DAY Classes": Day classes canceled; evening classes (6 p.m. or later) may still be held.
Evening Closures
Evening closures follow standard communication procedures with these additional steps:
- GRCC Police, Deans, and CEBA Building Managers will notify classes and instructors on-site.
- Office personnel will post physical notifications in and around their offices.