Public Safety / Security - Inclement Weather and Emergency Closures

Should the college be closed due to inclement weather or other emergencies, listed are several places to find out that information:

1. Television

The following stations are recommended and should have information about Renton Technical College scrolling on the bottom of the screen:

2. You can log onto: www.schoolreport.org and view our message there.

3. Check the RTC website at www.RTC.edu. Closure information should be on the homepage.

4. Call the college at 425-235-2352 and press 9 for the latest operating schedule. Keep in mind that if everyone is calling, the lines will be busy.

5. Radio stations – Running closure information is a voluntary system for radio stations. We recommend that you have a radio tuned into one of the following stations, but not to rely on receiving information solely from this source:

It is best to check more than one source for information as there may be some delay in getting information posted to some areas.

Remember, YOUR power may be out or you may have 5” of snow, but not everyone will. It is suggested to have a “buddy” system with someone that does not live close to you so you can check in with each other for updates.

Frequently Asked Questions:

When will a decision be made to close the College?
Why doesn’t the College close when snow is forecast?
How do I find out that the College is closed?
How do I know my class will be held? Will my instructor be there?
If the local schools are closed, why isn’t the College?
I take an NVCC class at a local school. How do I know when my class is cancelled?
Why were my classes cancelled when there was practically no snow at all?
What will happen if I do not attend class because I decide it is too dangerous for me to come?
If my class starts before the late opening time, but continues afterward, should I come to campus?
I came to class and right after it started, the College closed. Can you explain this?
Whom should I call to find out if the College is open?
May I bring my child with me to campus when the schools are closed?

1. When will a decision be made to close the College?

If snow or ice develops overnight, a decision to close the College will be announced before 5:30 a.m. If no announcement has been made by then, you can expect the College to open on time.

During the school day, an announcement will be made when decision makers determine that campus roads and parking lots or major highways are or will soon be too dangerous for students and employees to drive on. Decision makers expect drivers to be able to negotiate snowy conditions, but decide to close because accumulations are building or serious icing is taking place on and around the campuses. A decision to close will be announced immediately once it has been made, and will be communicated with as much notice as changing conditions permit.

2. Why doesn’t the College close when snow is forecast?

Renton Technical College sits at a weather transition point at which forecasting is very difficult. Forecasters frequently hedge their bets about the likelihood of bad weather, and when they don’t, they are often wrong. RTC closes when the weather emergency is at hand, and not before. We believe class time is precious and we should cancel classes only when it is necessary.

3. How do I find out that the College is closed?

Check out our website at www.rtc.edu for a list of media and other sources of closing information to look to in case of bad weather. The closing announcement will also be reported on the home page.

4. How do I know my class will be held? Will my instructor be there?

If an instructor cannot get to campus because of bad weather, he or she must notify their respective dean. The instructor or the division will try to contact students using their RTC e-mail, so keep an eye on that.  Instructors should give their students information in their syllabi about inclement weather policies and procedures for their classes.  If not available in the syllabi ask your instructor.

5. If the local schools are closed, why isn’t the College?

Unlike public schools, Renton Technical College does not operate a school bus system and uses different criteria to decide that it is appropriate to close. RTC closes only when its own roads, parking lots, the main highways, or the roads immediately around the campuses are too dangerous to negotiate safely. Thus, RTC will often be open when other local schools are closed.

6. I take an RTC class at a local school. How do I know when my class is cancelled?

If the College closes, classes at off-campus locations, such as local schools, are also cancelled. If the College remains open but the school is closed, the RTC class is cancelled for that day. So, students should pay attention to local school closing information if they are taking classes at a local school.

7. Why were my classes cancelled when there was practically no snow at all?

When the weather makes the main campus too dangerous to keep open, RTC will closes all of its off campus locations, regardless of what the conditions are at the other locations. We serve a large geographic area, and it can be quite safe to drive in one place, but not in another. Media announcements must be clear and precise. Making individual campus announcements is likely to be confusing. In addition, students and staff often must travel from one side of our service area to another to come to campus, so bad roads in one region can keep people from getting to other campuses safely.

8. What will happen if I do not attend class because I decide it is too dangerous for me to come?

We realize that a general decision for the college cannot account for the individual circumstances of all students. Use your good judgment and be prompt in communicating your situation to your instructor.

9. I came to class and right after it started, the College closed. Can you explain this?

The safety of students and employees is the most important consideration. Sometimes decision makers get information indicating that the College should close at times that do not exactly coincide with the beginning and ending of every class. It is better to cancel the class in this case than to keep the students when conditions are getting dangerous. Renton Technical College classes do not all start and stop on a uniform schedule. Any early closing time is likely to interrupt some classes.

10. Whom should I call to find out if the College is open?

Listen to the radio or tune in the TV. The media sources are listed on our web site under “weather and closings.” Look at the scroll bar on the RTC homepage. If you must call, call the RTC Main Campus telephone number at 425-235-2352. Messages will be posted there as soon as a decision is made. Do not call College offices to ask about closing.

11. May I bring my child with me to campus when the schools are closed?

No. The College has no facilities to care for children, and children are often disruptive in the classroom or in the work place.