An email reminder has been sent to students, faculty and staff at the University of
Arkansas - Fort Smith regarding how class cancellations are handled when there is
inclement weather in the area.
Darrell Morrison, vice chancellor for finance and administration, encouraged the 9,000-plus recipients of the email to double-check their contact information in LionsAlert, the University’s emergency notification system.
“LionsAlert is the best way for us to reach each student and employee,” said Morrison. “That’s why students and employees are automatically registered in LionsAlert. The system sends messages in several ways -- cell phone text and/or message, land line telephone, and email. Now is the time for each person to verify information, before it’s needed.”
In addition to LionsAlert, UAFS also posts information on the University’s website, www.uafs.edu under UAFS News, located at the bottom left of the homepage. The main UAFS telephone number, 479-788-7000, also carries a recorded message.
The UAFS community was also reminded that separate announcements are sent for day and evening classes. Day classes are those starting between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Should day classes be cancelled, an announcement will be made by 6 a.m. Night classes begin at 3:45 p.m. or later, and a decision on night class cancellation will be made by 2 p.m.
If inclement weather hits and no classes are in session, but offices are normally open, an announcement will be made to say the campus is closed.
“UAFS controls the message on LionsAlert, on our website and on the message on our main telephone number,” said Morrison. “We make these announcements ourselves, and they are done in a timely manner as a service to the UAFS students and employees.”
Some radio and television stations also list closings, however the use of the announcements by television and radio stations can vary, both on when they are used and how often.
Those with questions about LionsAlert should email uafs@service-now.com or call 479-788-7460.