Inclement Weather

  1. Life at Seattle U
  2. Public Safety
  3. Emergency Management
  4. Emergency Procedures
  5. Inclement Weather

Inclement Weather Closures & Delayed Openings

Decisions on inclement weather closures or delayed openings are typically made by 5 a.m. so that an announcement can be disseminated by 5:30 a.m. To ensure information is readily available in a variety of formats and modes, announcements will be shared as follows:

  • Delays or closures will be posted on the university home page (www.seattleu.edu) and a message will be recorded on SU’s hotline (206-296-2200).  
  • A text message will be sent using the university’s emergency text messaging system to all current staff, faculty and students. Any user who does not have a Seattle University account can sign up for SeattleU text messaging services by simply texting SeattleUalert to 79516.  
  • An e-mail will be sent to all students, faculty and staff with closure specifics.  
  • Postings will also be made on the university's social media accounts.

Weather conditions can change quickly, so please look for updates from the university on closures, delayed openings or early closures. In all cases, faculty and staff should use their best judgment about how safe it is to travel based on the conditions near their homes. Please inform your supervisor (by e-mail or phone) if weather conditions impact your ability to be in the office.   

If the campus is closed due to inclement weather conditions, the university will move to virtual instruction and operations. Faculty are expected to communicate in advance with students regarding contingency planning for their courses. Faculty with questions about providing continuity of instruction should consult with their department chair or dean's office. Staff should consult with supervisors on the details of virtual operations.   

Radio and TV outlets typically report on our closures, though we cannot guarantee the timeliness of those reports. AM radio stations KIRO 710 and KOMO 1000 and FM stations KNKX 88.5 and KUOW 94.9 air closure announcements. Local television stations KOMO, KING, KIRO, KONG and KCPQ also announce school closures.  

Student Services Available During Inclement Weather

The university will continue to provide essential services in the event of inclement weather. In most cases, barring extraordinary circumstances, the following services remain available during weather-related closures or delayed openings. The following information describes campus services that typically remain open during inclement weather. Please note that depending on conditions, the availability of some of the resources may change. Specific updates about service changes will be communicated by email or on the department’s website.  

If you have not yet enrolled in text message notifications, you can text SeattleUAlert to 79516. More information about emergency alerts can be found here.

Building Access 

All building access remains available within normal operating hours. Buildings will be locked in the event of closure. Students can access buildings with their SU ID cards. If you wish to go to a building on-campus to study, you are still welcome to do so. Lemieux Library access will follow university closures and late starts unless posted otherwise. 

Classes and Academics

Seattle University will move to virtual instruction, unless it is not possible. For more information, students should check directly with their instructors.

Student Services & Resources 

Dining & Food Service

Cherry Street Market and The Cave will typically remain open with normal operating hours. All other satellite dining locations are typically closed. For more information about Dining, please visit their website.  

Health, Wellness, & Safety Resources 

TimelyCare remains available to students 24/7 for medical and mental health support. If you have an in-person appointment in Counseling & Psychological Services or the Student Health Center, the clinic will reach out to you to reschedule, either for a virtual appointment or for another day. For other emergencies, safety concerns, or urgent health and wellness needs, please contact the Department of Public Safety at 206-296-5911. Public Safety will continue to operate 24/7.

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) 

In the event of a university closure, the CAPS office will be closed for in-person appointments and will shift our scheduled appointments to telehealth. For delayed openings, CAPS will open at the same time as the university and may shift appointments for the day to telehealth.  

Urgent Care services will not be offered during university closure times. For mental health support during closures or outside of university business hours, students should visit TimelyCare at https://timelycare.com/seattleu, login with your SU credentials, and select "TalkNow". In an emergency, contact Public Safety at 206-296-5911. 

Housing & Residence Life   

Housing & Residence Life (HRL) will typically maintain normal operations during weather-related closures (mail and package distribution, residence hall desk services, lock-out assistance, emergency response, staff on call, etc.)  HRL will send an email to residential students to advise them on any service disruptions. Residence hall front desks typically remain open within normal hours of operation (9:00am – 10:00pm, Monday - Friday) but may have reduced hours due to staffing. The HRL Central Office (Campion, 100) typically remains open from 8:30am-4:30pm, Monday-Friday. 

Lemieux Library and McGoldrick Learning Commons and Law Library

Lemieux Library and Learning Commons will be closed if the university is closed for weather-related conditions. However, 24-hour spaces will remain open and available for students. 24-hour spaces include: 1st floor lobby, Garden Reading Room, Boeing Room, 2nd floor lobby, 2nd floor computer lab, Byte Cafe, and the Bangassar Reading Room. Please be sure to bring your Seattle University ID card to access these 24-hour spaces. 

During most weather-related events, the following remote services will be available for all students:  

  • The Learning Assistance Program's virtual front desk. Appointments that have been slated to be remote will continue as planned. Changes to in-person sessions (tutoring or study groups) will be communicated directly to affected students.  
  • Drop in Research Help  via our Librarian-staffed chat service or via email at askalibrarian@seattleu.edu. Reach out to your Librarian for virtual research consultations.        
  • The Student Resource Network will be monitoring emails at studentsupportcenter@seattleu.edu in case you have questions about available campus services.  
  • The Writing Center will be open virtually for synchronous and asynchronous appointments.  

For more information about the hours and operations of Seattle University's libraries during a weather-related event, visit the following websites: 

Questions? Email library@seattleu.edu 

University Recreation (UREC)  

The University Recreation (UREC) indoor facility will be closed if the university is closed. In the event of a delayed opening, UREC will open at the same time as the university. Outdoor fields (Logan Field and Championship Field) will remain open for student use.

Updated: February 13, 2025