Shuniah Building

Alerts & Campus Closures

This page consolidates information related to campus closures, service disruptions, emergency communications, and continuity planning. Use it to understand how the College responds to disruptions and how you will be informed.

Campus Closures Due to Weather Emergencies

Decision Timelines

  • Decisions to suspend normal operations are made before 7:00 AM for daytime classes and before 4:00 PM for evening classes.

How You Will Be Notified

Once a decision is made, it will be communicated through the following channels:

  • The College's main website
  • Email and text message to all students, faculty, and staff
  • Social media, including Facebook and Twitter

If Announced Before Work Hours Begin

  • Staff scheduled at affected locations are not required to report for work, unless directly contacted by the College
  • Students living off campus should remain at home and stay away from the College campus

If Announced After Classes Have Started

  • Employees will be released by their immediate supervisors
  • Students will be dismissed once faculty have been notified that classes are cancelled and the campus is closed

Service Disruptions

Electrical Service Disruption

  • Stay calm — emergency lighting may take a moment to activate
  • If emergency lighting does not come on, wait a few minutes, as most outages are brief. When power returns, contact Facilities Services to report the lighting issue
  • Do not move around in the dark or use open flames (candles, matches, lighters) as light
  • In areas with hazardous chemicals or equipment, keep a flashlight on hand to safely shut down operations
  • If lighting is out for more than 10 minutes, call 922 for evacuation assistance. An announcement will be broadcast if the disruption is extended

Water Service Disruption

  • Immediately shut down all equipment and work processes that require water, including chemical handling, hand-washing, and emergency equipment (eyewash stations, emergency showers)
  • An announcement will be broadcast over the Emergency Communications System if the disruption is extended

Elevator Service Disruption

  • If trapped in an elevator:
  • Do not attempt to force open the doors or jump up and down
  • With an emergency phone: Pick up the phone and advise Security of your location. A Security Guard and elevator technician will be dispatched
  • Without an emergency phone (freight or Library elevator): Call out to nearby people, who can contact Security at 922

Preparing for Service Disruptions

Electrical Preparedness

  • Know the safe shutdown procedures for your area and ensure staff and students are familiar with them
  • Carry an emergency flashlight if you work in College service areas

Water Preparedness

  • Identify equipment and work processes affected by a water interruption
  • Know which operations depend on water for hygiene or emergency services (eyewash stations, emergency showers)

Elevator Emergencies

Call 922 immediately if you witness or experience any of the following:

  • Elevator does not level at the floor
  • Doors do not close completely
  • Doors open but the car is not there
  • The car drops or stops abruptly
  • Any other apparent malfunction

Emergency Communication System

In the event of an emergency, such as a Shelter in Place, Hold and Secure, or Lockdown, important messages will be broadcast over the College's Emergency Communications System.

The system connects a network of speaker-enabled phones, interior speakers throughout main campus buildings, and exterior speakers, forming a public address system for delivering emergency messages to the College community.

Help! Phones

  • Corridor and Classroom Help! Phones are part of the Emergency Communications System
  • These phones provide two-way emergency communication
  • These phones must never be disconnected