Sign up To Receive Emergency Notifications
To receive emergency notifications about weather and closings, please sign up for Des Moines University’s emergency notification system, Omnilert.
Weather and Emergency Closing Information
Living in Iowa means living with winter weather. Continuity of services is essential to a medical and health sciences university as well as patient care in the DMU Clinic, so closing due to weather conditions will be uncommon. In the event any Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences operations are closed due to weather or other incidents such as loss of power, Des Moines University offers a Flexible Work Policy for eligible employees, as well as adaptable and virtual curriculum for students. This assures minimal disruption of University services and programs.
DMU’s decision may vary from undergraduate colleges/universities in the metro area, as well as from local school districts’ decisions. Hospitals, clinics, insurance companies, and other healthcare organizations may remain open on adverse weather days, much like DMU's operations remain open. The campus at 8025 Grand is a 24/7 operation, and will remain open as long as Facilities Management staff are able to maintain daily operations (such as clearing snow).
Employees and students, whether on-campus or at rotation sites, should use personal discretion whether to drive in winter conditions. Each one of us has a different comfort level when driving in these conditions.
Employees
Employees unable to work due to inclement weather or due to local school districts closing must contact their supervisors. In the event of inclement weather, eligible employees who have completed the Telework Agreement (occasional or scheduled days) and have been approved by their supervisor, may telework. Please refer to the Flexible Work Policy to assess eligibility. Employees not eligible to telework are required to use vacation, personal, or unpaid time (unpaid time if no vacation or personal time available) during these absences or make up time through an alternate work schedule within the same week.
Students
Students unable to make it to campus or to their rotation site due to inclement weather must follow the program's process for reporting an absence. A program may decide to alter the published schedule due to inclement weather; students and faculty will be notified of such changes by the program's customary process.
Important Information for Students and the Public
Decision to Close
In the event of adverse weather conditions, or an emergency situation that disrupts operations (ex. loss of power or air conditioning/heating), the Chief Financial Officer and the Director of Facilities Management will gather information and make a recommendation to the President regarding whether any facilities should remain open. The President, CFO, and the Director of Facilities Management will consider the following information:
- The status of the City of Des Moines (Polk County) and City of West Des Moines (Dallas County) offices and operations, including the operating status of the DART bus system.
- City of Des Moines/Polk County Emergency Management recommendations.
- City of West Des Moines/Dallas County Emergency Management recommendations.
- Road conditions to and from the DMU locations from within the metro area, county, and adjacent counties, as well as DMU internal roads and parking lots.
- The condition of parking lots and sidewalks, including if Facilities Management has been able to adequately clear most areas.
- Assessments by DMU Facilities Management and Security of safety at the DMU locations such as tree damage, sidewalks, etc.
During daytime storms or emergencies, staff monitor conditions throughout the day and continually assess conditions. If conditions deteriorate to merit a closure discussion, Executive Leadership Team members will determine appropriate action and communicate with their respective employees and operations (ex. Eligible employees flex telework days during inclement weather).
College Deans and program directors will assess curriculum and exam schedules and any changes will be communicated to the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs and the Registrar's Office academic scheduler. Program academic leaders will communicate changes to students and appropriate faculty and staff. If any facilities for curriculum closes, curriculum may be transitioned to virtual learning when possible.
Clinic Administration will manage DMU Clinic services' communication to patients and communication to DMU Clinic employees.
- If the DMU Clinic closes @ 3200 Grand Avenue, the 3200 Grand Avenue Wellness Center will also be closed. No media announcement will be posted if any of the DMU Clinic locations are closed.
Office of Research will manage any necessary communication to research operations' employees.
Notification
When overnight storms or emergencies occur, the Director of Facilities Management will contact the CFO by 4:45 a.m. to discuss cause of disruption to operations at specific location and whether Facilities Management staff are able to manage operations. The CFO will contact the President to review recommendation. If the decision is made to close operations, the CFO will email the Emergency Closing Team, which includes the Executive Leadership Team. Communication to the University is targeted by 5:45am, although timing may vary based upon weather and other factors.
Students, employees, visitors and outside groups will be notified via all or some of the following reporting methods:
- Omnilert: If not signed up, please go to the Facilities Management Pulse page. (contact the Campus Services Manager with any questions)
- Message to your mobile device
- DMU email and additional email(s) set up in Omnilert
- DMU website
- DMU Clinic web pages
- Local TV and radio stations
- **Please note that it may take 10-15 minutes for all news media and other notification methods to be updated once the decision is made.
Students who are not required to report to campus during a closure (ex: loss of power) are asked to leave the campus once it is closed for safety reasons.
The campus is open unless communication to close is distributed. If campus is closed for a day, campus will be open the following day unless communication is distributed that the campus is closed again.
Facilities Management strives to remove snow from sidewalks, parking lots and building entrances by 7 a.m. after an evening or early morning storm when the university is open. If a storm is moving in during operating hours, Facilities Management crews regularly shovel routes during the day. Snow is removed and ice melt is applied according to priority routes across campus, including vehicle, pedestrian, and bike routes. Some routes may be clearer of snow than other routes in the morning hours, particularly if snow falls during business hours and crews are making their rounds. Please use caution when walking and driving to campus and wear appropriate clothing and shoes.
Areas of concern, including accessibility issues created by snow and ice, should be reported to FacilitiesManagement@dmu.edu, or you may contact the Security Office at 515-271-1471. Do not contact the university grounds crew or other Facilities Management employees directly; they may be away from their phones working to clear the campus of snow.
In the event an employee or student require vehicle assistance while parked on campus, they may refer to the university’s Parking and Vehicle Regulations. If a vehicle will not start, a battery pack will be available for any vehicle located on campus. Battery packs are available in Campus Support C2101E at 8025 Grand Avenue, or at the DMU Clinic front desk at 3200 Grand Avenue.
- Individuals will be responsible for obtaining, operating, and returning the battery pack. When finished, properly put the cables back on the battery pack and return promptly to the Security Officer on duty in the Security Office.
- Instructions for use are located on the battery pack.
- If you have questions or need assistance, please call the Security Officer at 515-271-1471.
Important Information for Employees
Employees who are not required to report to work during a closure of facilities are asked to leave a building(s)closed for safety reasons (ex: loss of power). University employees with emergency duties should check with their supervisor about whether they are expected to report to work even if facilities are closed.
- Employees working or teleworking shall be paid for the hours worked similar to any other business day. Teleworking eligibility requires a telework agreement on file with Human Resources, and supervisor approval. Please refer to the Flexible Work Policy for additional information.
- Employees unable to work or telework are required to submit Time Away From Work (TAFW), either vacation, personal, or unpaid time (unpaid time if no vacation or personal time available) during these absences.
- Employees who are already on approved vacation, sick, or other type of leave when a facilities closure (full or partial) occurs:
- Full Day: No change to TAFW is necessary.
- Partial Day: Employee may telework or submit additional TAFW. Please communicate with your supervisor as necessary.
- Non-benefit eligible employees, including student employees, will not be paid.
Regular benefit eligible employees who arrive late to work due to weather conditions will discuss two options with the supervisor; submit vacation, personal, or unpaid time (unpaid time if no vacation or personal time available) during these absences or employee adjust the work schedule to make up the hours within the same work week . The decision is at the supervisor's discretion based upon the function and job duties.
Employees should use personal discretion in deciding whether to drive in severe weather conditions. Employees not eligible to telework may request time off and are required to use vacation, personal, or unpaid time (unpaid time if no vacation or personal time available) during these absences.
A supervisor may determine if employees' work schedules may be adjusted or make up time absent due to adverse weather conditions within the same work week.
Winter Weather Safety Information
Winter weather means parking lots and sidewalks can be slippery no matter how well snow and ice are removed.
Everyone needs to be aware of these dangers and “Walk Like a Penguin”.
Des Moines University recommends the following important safety tips:
- Watch out for black ice. Assume all wet, dark areas on pavement are slippery.
- Avoid footwear with smooth soles and heels. Instead wear footwear that provides traction, like non-slip rubber or neoprene with grooved soles. There are also products available with abrasive soles or cleats that provide traction. Make sure to remove these when entering buildings.
- When entering or exiting a vehicle; use the vehicle for support. Don’t hold objects, like coffee cups, backpacks or purses etc. as you are exiting. Exit the vehicle then retrieve the items.
- Walk on designated walkways as much as possible. Don’t take shortcuts across piles of snow or where snow and ice removal is not feasible. Look ahead when you walk; a snow-or-ice covered sidewalk or driveway may require you to travel on the grassy edge for traction.
- Don’t text or read while walking.
- Now you are ready to “Walk Like a Penguin”
- Point your feet out slightly. This will increase your center of gravity.
- Bend slightly and walk flat footed with your center of gravity directly over your feet.
- Extend your arms to your sides for balance.
- Keep your hands out of your pockets (wear mittens or gloves to keep your hands warm.) Hands in your pockets decreases your center of gravity and balance. You can help break your fall with your hands free if you do start to slip.
- Go slowly.
- Take short steps or shuffle.
- Wear a heavy, bulky coat, not only for warmth but for a cushion if you do fall.
- Try to avoid landing on knees, wrists or spine. Try to fall on a fleshy part of your body like your side.
- Try to relax as you fall, you will injury yourself less if relaxed.
No one likes driving in inclement weather conditions especially winter weather. However, being prepared and following the safety tips below can decrease the stress of winter driving and make the trip safer.
Preparedness, Before Winter Strikes
- Have your vehicle serviced and make sure it is in good working order. Check for vehicle recalls at www.nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Make sure tires are in good condition and inflated properly.
- Ensure that the windshield wash is full and wiper blades are in good working order.
- Keep the fuel tank at least half full.
- Know your brakes and how to use them properly. Antilock brake systems prevent your wheels from locking up during braking. If you have antilock brakes, apply firm, continuous pressure to the brake pedal. If you don’t have antilock brakes, you may need to pump your brakes if you feel your wheels starting to lock up.
- Pack a winter survival kit to keep in your vehicle. Items to include:
- jumper cables
- blankets
- candles
- matches
- water
- extra clothing
- boots
- snow shovel
- ice scraper
- high calorie non-perishable foods
- flashlight with extra batteries
- first-aid kit and
- sand or strips of carpet for traction.
Before Traveling to Your Destination
- Warm up your vehicle (never in an enclosed area, such as a garage).
- Make sure all windows are free from snow and ice.
- Remove snow and ice from front and rear lights and turn signals.
- Remove snow from the hood of the vehicle. Blowing snow from the hood decreases visibility.
- Check weather and road condition, with local media, calling 511 or using the internet.
- Drive slowly, below the speed limit. Posted speed limits are for ideal road conditions.
- Increase your following distance to 5 – 6 seconds.
- Do not use cruise control on slippery roads.
- Ramps and bridges may freeze before other road surfaces.
- Beware of black ice.
- Accelerate and de-accelerate slowly to establish traction. It is actually better to keep moving. For instance, if you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes you will decrease your chances of skidding.
- Avoid applying extra gas on snow-covered roads, especially hills, which will make your wheels spin. Start gaining inertia before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top. At the crest of the hill, reduce your speed for the downhill.
- Don’t text and avoid other distractive behaviors, such as eating and applying make-up.
- Don’t drive through “white out” conditions.
What to Do if Stranded
- Stay with your vehicle, it provides protection.
- Do not try to walk in a severe storm.
- If digging out your vehicle, don’t over exert yourself.
- Signal distress by tying a brightly colored cloth to the antenna or a cloth at the top of a rolled-up window. At night leave the dome light on.
- Stat warm by packing an extra blanket or heavy clothing or use what might be available in the vehicle, such as maps, floor mats, or newspapers.
- Conserve fuel only run the engine and heater long enough to remove the chill.
- Keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow, ice and mud, to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning when the engine is running.
For more information, refer to the following resources: