How to find out if 51�� is closed

Photo of an alert sign — Click this logo in to register your phone number in the 51�� Alert system.

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University will immediately announce closings due to severe weather or emergency conditions. Assume the University is open and will continue normal operation unless notified in one of four ways:

Go to wmich.edu
Closing announcements will be posted on the 51�� home page and additional information will be posted in 51�� News as it becomes available. Refresh webpages to see the most recent version.
Call (269) 387-1001
Closing announcements will be available on the emergency information line.
Check radio and TV
Area radio and television stations are notified as soon as a decision is made to close the University.

Subscribers to the system will receive notification of a closure via phone call, text message or both, depending on the delivery options chosen at sign-up. In addition, all students and faculty and staff members will receive an email notice.

Assume 51�� is open. In the absence of notification via one of the methods listed, all normal operations will continue as scheduled. University closings due to severe weather or other conditions are rare.

Regional locations

When the University's campuses in Kalamazoo close, the 51��-Battle Creek regional location as well as the College of Aviation in Battle Creek also close. The status of the University's six other regional locations will vary due to conditions in their individual areas.

To learn about regional location closures, visit the Extended University Programs Web page at wmich.edu/extended.

Weather-related 51�� closings since 1999

1999, Jan. 4-5—Heavy snowfall delayed the start of spring semester.
2000, Nov. 21-22—Thanksgiving recess began Tuesday because of snow.
2006, Dec. 1—An ice storm downed trees and caused power outages.
2007, Feb. 5—Extreme cold and snow closed many Michigan colleges.
2008, Feb. 1—51�� closed due to snow.
2009, Dec. 10—Blizzard conditions closed 51��.
2011, Feb. 2—Blizzard conditions closed 51��.
2013, Jan. 31—Snow and icy conditions closed 51��.
2014, Jan. 6-7—Significant snowfall and severely cold temperatures prompted many Michigan colleges to close. The closure delayed the start of spring semester.
2014, Jan. 27—51�� closed due to cold weather and blowing snow.
2014, Nov. 18—Heavy snowfall closed 51��.
2015, Feb. 2—A widespread snowstorm closed 51�� and many others schools around the state.
2016, Feb. 25—A heavy snowfall closed 51�� for the day.

To review the 51�� Closure Policy, visit wmich.edu/policies/closure-policy.

For more news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.

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