College of Dentistry Policy for Weather Closings and Late Starts
All UNMC College of Dentistry campuses operate as unique entities with distinct responsibilities to patient care and education. Therefore, decisions regarding closure due to winter weather are made independently of the UNMC Omaha campus and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
The decision to close any campus of the College of Dentistry will be made by the Dean, in consultation with additional College of Dentistry administrators and designated staff and faculty. This decision will prioritize safety and take into account local and regional travel conditions, as well as weather forecasts.
In the event of a closure at any location, the College of Dentistry communications team will notify all faculty, staff, and students no later than 6 a.m. through UNMC email, the College of Dentistry website and official social media channels.
All faculty, staff and administrators are required to follow the University of Nebraska’s Inclement Weather Closure Pay Policy.
Procedures For Students and Course Faculty During Closures
Changes will be communicated through university email or sent through Canvas messaging.
- Didactic courses will continue at their scheduled times but will be held remotely through Zoom. Recordings will be posted by faculty on Canvas. If students cannot join synchronously, they may watch the recordings posted by faculty and contact faculty with questions later. If a faculty member cannot record their lecture during a scheduled session, they may record and post it later and inform students of the availability of the recording.
- Faculty will notify students of any changes in meeting times.
- Labs will be rescheduled by the faculty, and students will be notified. Faculty may choose to deliver a lecture through Zoom instead when the college is closed, and use the allocated lecture time for lab time, pending room availability.
- Dental and dental hygiene students are responsible for notifying their patients when the clinic is closed.
- Students on extramural rotations are responsible for contacting site preceptors to review their office closure plans and the need for travel.
In the event the College of Dentistry remains open during inclement weather, and students or employees feel they cannot safely commute to campus:
- Employees: Please notify your supervisor(s) as soon as possible.
- Students: Please notify your GPC, group lead, and course directors as sooon as possible. If you will miss an assessment, you need to complete an electronic absence request form and provide evidence for your absence.
Updated November 2025