The decision to delay or close campus is based on several factors. Some such 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.
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/Students
- The decision to delay or close GRCC (or specific locations) will be made as early as possible and communicated through standard communication methods — including, but not limited to, the college’s Rave emergency notification system (email, phone and text message), grcc.edu and local news media outlets. Note: The college cannot control when the news media broadcasts information, so be aware of all communication methods in which you may be notified of delayed opening or campus closing information.
- If the college closes, employees need not report to work, with the exception of designated personnel who are necessary to keep the college operational and secure. Those individuals are identified in advance by their supervisors.
- If the college does not close in the morning, and winter weather conditions worsen throughout the day, a determination to close for evening activities will occur as soon as possible.
- If a particular campus is closed, all activities on that campus are canceled. Please read the specifics below.
Messages
Kent County
- The message "GRCC – Delay" means morning classes and activities are canceled on the downtown Main and DeVos campuses, Lakeshore Campus, Tassell MTEC and at Regional Sites.
- GRCC Police and Custodial staff are to report as scheduled.
- Faculty and Staff report at 10 a.m.
- Classes that begin 11 a.m. or later will be held as scheduled.
- Certain academic departments will need additional protocol to handle implications.
- The message "GRCC – Closed” means cancellation of all GRCC day and evening classes and activities on the downtown Main and DeVos campuses, Lakeshore Campus, Tassell MTEC and Regional Sites.
- The message "GRCC Closed – DAY Classes" means cancellation of all GRCC day classes and activities on the downtown Main and DeVos campuses, Lakeshore campus, Tassell MTEC and Regional Sites. The determination to open will be made by 2 p.m. and communication procedures will be implemented.
- Second shift GRCC 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.
Kent County Regional Sites
Closings may occur separately and be announced by location at the following regional sites:
- Caledonia
- Rockford
Daytime Closures
If the school district has canceled daytime operations, but intend on holding their evening activities, then GRCC will hold its classes.
Evening Closures
If evening activities are canceled at sites where GRCC classes are being held, then classes are canceled. This determination is normally made by 3 p.m. (Example: If there are GRCC classes at Grandville High School and Grandville High School cancels all evening activities, then GRCC classes are canceled.) The message will be: GRCC (location) – Classes canceled.
Early/Middle College and Concurrent Enrollment Classes
- Early/Middle College programs and Concurrent Enrollment site classes are dependent on the host high school and/or intermediate school district location. If the high school and/or ISD location is delayed or closed due to inclement weather, these programs and classes will not meet.
Ottawa County
The GRCC Lakeshore Campus is not always tied to the Grand Rapids campus for inclement weather closings.
- The message "GRCC Ottawa County – Weather Delay" means morning classes and activities are canceled at the GRCC Lakeshore Campus.
- Faculty and staff report at 10 a.m.
- Classes that begin 11 a.m. or later will be held as scheduled.
- The message "GRCC Ottawa County – Closed” means cancellation of all GRCC day and evening classes The message "GRCC Ottawa County – Closed – DAY Classes" means cancellation of all GRCC day classes and activities. Evening classes that begin 6 p.m. or later still could be held as scheduled.
Closing information will be communicated via:
- Phone message to land-line and mobile phones, and text message to mobile phones for all employees and students.
- Email to your GRCC email address.
- Website – grcc.edu
- A recorded phone message on the college’s main phone line – (616) 234-GRCC.
- Local news media.
- Emergency Phone Alert Systems (EPAS), if classes are in session when a decision to close is made.
Evening Closures
Evening closures will follow the same process and communications procedures as above, including the following additional steps:
- The GRCC Police, Deans and CEBA Building Managers will notify all classes and instructors on each particular campus that the College is closed.
- Office personnel will post the notification of College closure in and around their offices.