• School of Medicine ›

Inclement Weather Policy

Part 1: 

It is the policy of the Wake Forest School of Medicine to remain open and continue operations unless otherwise determined by the Dean and President of WFU Health Sciences. Classes and activities will be held when the school is open. In the event of inclement weather, students should call (336) 716-4356 to check schedule changes for that day. Every effort will be made to also notify students via the e-mail system. Department of Physician Assistant Studies, faculty, staff and students are encouraged to call (336) 716-4356 to hear a recorded message on schedule status (delayed classes or cancellations).

In the event, even if classes and clerkship activities are being held, students are urged not to travel under unsafe conditions or to take unnecessary risks. Any student who is unable to attend class or other  activities because of inclement weather should notify his or her preceptor, course director, Advisor and or appropriate Year 1 and 2 Administrative Team.

Part 2: What you should know that isn’t stated in the policy:

1. The Medical Center runs by a different set of rules that the main campus – if the Reynolda campus close that doesn’t affect you or me
   
2. As suggested above, the Medical Center will rarely announce an official closing (sick people in the hospital, and people who drive 200 miles to be seen in clinics, would really be distressed if all the doctors went home when the snow started to fall, and there are amazing logistic problems with closing “part of “ the Medical center, so things just generally stay open)

Summary of what to do on bad weather days:

1. Make a wise decision that emphasizes your own safety;
2. If you cannot make it in, contact someone on your team (faculty, advisor, staff) to let them know;
3. Check your e-mail first to see if a cancellation has been announced;
4. Back-up plan (for use in case of dead computers, power outages, etc): Call (336) 716-4356 to listen to cancellation messages;
5. Even if there are no announced postponements, make a wise decision that emphasizes your own safety above all else.

Updated May 2011