Because of the diverse and numerous customers served by Duke and the multiple locations at which services are delivered, efficient discussion of the weather conditions is required to enable appropriate and coordinated decisions for each locale and work shift.

The following criteria will be considered in declaring a severe weather or emergency condition for each shift:

• Condition or anticipated worsening condition of local streets and highways in the general locale of each campus/entity.
• Other conditions that may pose a threat to the safety of students, patients, faculty, staff and visitors.

The Assistant Vice President for Safety & Security is responsible for the early gathering of information on the criteria to be used by those responsible for declaring severe weather/emergency conditions. The AVP will advise the University Executive Vice President, the Provost, and the Health System Vice President for Acute Care Division of the present or worsening conditions, for each shift. The Executive Vice President, the Provost, and the Vice President for Acute Care will confer and the University Executive Vice President will make the decision on activating and/or terminating the severe weather/emergency conditions policy for each shift. Once implemented, the policy will remain in force for the duration of the work shift. 

Where the policy is activated or terminated, institutional communication procedures will be followed. Staff members will also need to implement communication steps, as appropriate, with their supervisors.

NOTE: On rare occasions the Marine Lab will need to evacuate students from the campus in anticipation of dangerous weather (such as the imminent arrival of a hurricane). The director of the Marine Lab will decide when evacuation is necessary. The Marine Lab web site will provide ongoing updates regarding student residential status.