Writing Studio & Tutoring Services Severe-Weather / Winter-Weather Guidance
With winter comes the likelihood Nashville will experience a winter weather event affecting travel conditions. Severe weather can do the same throughout the year. When that occurs, all full-time and hourly staff at the Writing Studio and Tutoring Services should be aware of the following three-part guidelines and guidance from our program and the university.
Part One: Program Opening/Closing Follows University Decision on Holding Classes
Our general guideline is that the Writing Studio and Tutoring Services follow university decisions to hold classes during weather-related events. When classes remain in session, the Writing Studio and Tutoring Services programs remain open with appointments available to students. Likewise, when classes are cancelled or delayed due to weather, our programs will follow suit in terms of offering appointments and other services.
How do I know if classes are cancelled or delayed?
The Writing Studio / Tutoring administrative team will make an announcement as soon as we learn of a delay or closure via the university’s communication channels.
Part Two: Individual Discretion Urged Regarding Travel Risks and Personal Safety
Even when the Writing Studio and Tutoring Services programs remain open, our programs follow the university’s own guidance in encouraging all staff to use their own discretion in evaluating travel risks, making safety the first priority.
If you decide that travel conditions to the Writing Studio and Tutoring Services (or a shift elsewhere on campus) are unsafe for you due to weather-related conditions, we simply ask that you inform us by phone or email as soon as possible.
Here is the university’s language on the matter (as issued in January 2018):
“If the university remains open, all faculty, students living off campus, and non-essential staff are strongly encouraged to evaluate road conditions along their commute and to use discretion in choosing whether or not to travel to campus. Personal safety is the first priority.
If you determine conditions are not safe for you to travel to campus, please notify the appropriate parties.
Faculty, you may cancel your classes at your discretion via listserv or Brightspace.
Students, if you cannot safely get to class, please notify your course instructor.
Staff, please notify your direct supervisor.”
Part Three: The Option to Move to Virtual Appointments
While we do now have the ability to convert in-person shifts and appointments to synchronous online appointments, please be aware that doing so at scale for our consultants and tutors requires a significant effort to make the necessary adjustments within WCOnline and to communicate the change to all affected clients (some of whom may still come in person).
If the Writing Studio and Tutoring Services administrative team deems that a large scale shift to online appointments is the best course of action during a particular weather event, we will communicate that to student staff (clerks, consultants, and tutors) and to clients with as much notice as possible.