How Mohawk College decides when to close campuses due to weather

Mohawk College sign with snow falling

With winter approaching comes the possibility of campus closures due to hazardous weather conditions. It is important to become familiar with Mohawk College’s procedures for closing campuses and to know where to go for the latest news and information.  

Closing campuses is not a decision the college takes lightly. Classes need to be made up, tests and exams may need to be rescheduled and events may need to be cancelled. At Mohawk College, the decision to close the Fennell, Stoney Creek and Airport campuses is guided by the college’s policies and procedures for emergency closures. The college’s facilities and security teams will make the best decision based on the information available at the time.  

UPDATE: Attention IAHS students and employees  

Students attending classes at the Institute for Applied Health Sciences (IAHS) must check both Mohawk College and McMaster University notifications for campus closures due to severe weather. 

• If either Mohawk College OR McMaster University closes, Mohawk classes at the IAHS will be cancelled.
• If Mohawk College closes but McMaster remains open, the IAHS building will stay open; however, Mohawk classes will still be cancelled. 

Important: For clinical placements, please follow departmental instructions regarding whether placements will proceed or be cancelled. 

Always confirm updates from both institutions before travelling to campus. 

When to close campuses 

Mohawk will only close its campuses when remaining open would pose a danger to students and employees while on campus or would prevent a large number of students and employees from coming to campus or returning safely to their homes. The decision to close is made with input from several individuals and includes considerations such as the conditions of the roads in and around Hamilton, and the availability of public transit, as well as the ability to clear campus walkways, roads and parking lots.  

If campuses close  

If the college decides to close campuses due to hazardous weather, the following will apply: 

• All in-person classes and events will be cancelled.
• Virtual classes and services will continue.
• The DBARC will be closed and all athletic activities cancelled.
• Employees who can work remotely will be expected to do so.
• Students on placement are to follow the direction of their faculty and program staff. For placements in other regions, students should use their discretion. Students must follow the policy for reporting absences for their placement location and contact their academic program area. 

When closure announcements will be made  

If it looks like the college will need to close campuses, the goal is to make the closure announcement no later than 6 am that morning. When the college needs to close part way through the day, every effort is made to announce the closure by 3 pm to allow enough time to notify Continuing Education students and instructors involved in evening classes.  

The announcement will specify whether the closure is immediate or to take place at a stated hour. 

No matter what the college decides, it is important for students and employees to make their own assessment about whether or not it is safe to come to campus. The college encourages faculty and employee managers to consider the weather conditions when someone chooses to stay home, recognizing that some people may be traveling from locations experiencing hazardous weather conditions that are different than what is taking place at and around our campuses. 

Get notifications about campus closures  

The best way to learn about closures is to sign up for Mohawk’s SAM (Security Alert Messenger) service. SAM uses text messages, social media, the college website, and email to inform students and employees that the college is closed. SAM is also used for lockdowns and other emergencies that require rapid communication with the college community. It is also helpful to stay tuned to local media outlets, as they will also share news of a college closure. 

Students and employees are also encouraged to make themselves familiar with Mohawk College’s Emergency Procedures.