Weather Related Events and Emergencies on Campus

Acadia University’s Emergency Response Team assess and share information to our campus community and the general public when there is a weather-related event or emergency situation with the potential to disrupt campus operations. 

Decisions regarding campus operations during weather-related events are based on a protocol of careful monitoring of the Environment Canada Weather Office, Emergency Management Office for the Province of Nova Scotia, and RCMP advisories; as well as consultation with Nova Scotia Department of Transportation, Town of Wolfville Public Works, and Acadia’s Physical Plant Services. Weather-related class cancellations and campus closures are at the discretion of the University’s Senior Administration. Emergency situations on campus require timely decisions, which are made by Acadia’s Department of Safety and Security staff in consultation with Senior Administration.

Decisions are made and communicated as early as possible.

Guiding Principles
Acadia University shall use available resources and exercise good judgement to:

1.    Preserve and protect the health and safety of our campus community and visiting public.

2.    Minimize disruption of infrastructure and research to protect and preserve the academic experience and workplace environment.

3.    Ensure communication to students, faculty, staff, other members of the Acadia community, and the general public is a priority during a weather-related event or emergency situation.

4.    Ensure a timely return to normal operations following a weather-related event or emergency situation. 

Student and Employee Responsibilities
Members of the Acadia campus community are urged to monitor forecasts and road conditions, check email accounts for Urgent-All-Acadia messages, call ahead to Acadia’s Emergency Information Line, or call your campus voice mailbox for updates before making travel decisions. If campus is open, but you choose not to travel, be sure to contact your professor or supervisor to discuss. If, after attempting these methods, you require additional campus emergency-related information, contact the Department of Safety and Security.

Classes Cancelled
Students, faculty and staff are not expected to come to campus when Acadia University cancels classes, labs, tutorials, tests and exams. The University will provide access to the Vaughan Memorial Library (Circulation Desk), KC Irving Environmental Science Centre, the Acadia Athletics Complex, the Acadia Student Union Centre and other campus facilities based on the ability to provide adequate staffing and cleared walkways and roads.

Residence halls and Wheelock Dining Hall will operate as usual.

University Campus Closed
When campus is closed, all facilities are closed and scheduled activities are cancelled (including external bookings). Only staff members deemed essential are required on campus during a campus closure as determined by operational needs in accordance with supervisory direction and policy.

Residence halls and Wheelock Dining Hall will operate as usual.

Special Events Cancelled
Where campus facilities have been rented for functions but Acadia has made the decision to close that facility or the campus, the University department responsible for booking the rental will notify the event organizer. The renter is responsible for communicating the cancellation to the particiants

Communication Protocols
If a weather-related event or emergency situation disrupts campus operations, notification will be provided as soon as possible.

•      Email notification sent through the “Urgent All Acadia” address.

•      Voicemail messages sent to on-campus residence and office telephones. Please call (902) 542-2200 and press 3 to log in to your voice mailbox for a message.

•      Emergency Information Line -(902) 585-INFO (4636) to receive a prerecorded message on campus status.

•      Acadia Web site - the main page (www.acadiau.ca) will post notifications.

•      Residence Life Staff - will communicate directly with students living on campus.

•      Radio Stations (Magic 94.9, AVR 97.7, K-Rock 89.3, and CBC 106.5) will be contacted to provide public broadcast updates. Please note: the timing and content of these announcements will be at the discretion of the broadcaster.

•      Fire Alarm - indicates the need to evacuate the building immediately.

For more information or assistance on campus, please contact the Department of Safety and Security at 902-585-1103.. The office is staffed 24 hours daily. To report an emergency please telephone 911

Whenever you receive an emergency notification, please act quickly and decisively, as directed.