Campus Closure and Cancellation of Clinical Rotations

The Chancellor shall determine whether the condition is such a nature as to require cancellation of on-campus classes and/or closure of the University. Example events which may prompt such a decision include severe weather, natural disasters, act of terrorism, workplace violence, or significant utility outages. Students should reference the sections below to determine how to proceed with campus closures based on their phase in the program, type of campus closure, and/or location of their clinical rotations.

A cancellation announcement will be on the School of Medicine website; typically, there will not be an announcement if there is no cancellation, but if administration deems necessary (to confirm and avoid confusion), there may be an announcement confirming regular and/or adjusted scheduling.

Please check for a red banner warning a the top of any SOM web page for announcements.

 

Didactic Phase Students and On-Campus Events for Clinical Phase Students

Should the Chancellor determine that classes are to be cancelled and/or the University closed, the following steps shall be implemented:

If UMKC Volker campus has closed, there will be no School of Medicine on-campus activities that day (*except in special circumstances, see below). This includes on-campus lectures, laboratories, and learning activities. Yet, students should be prepared to participate in educational activities remotely. Even if campus is not open, classes and work will continue, ensuring that students can make academic progress and productivity is maintained. Students should check email and course Canvas sites for communications from instructors pertaining to schedule/learning assignment changes.

*In special circumstances, the program has been granted permission to bring students to campus for essential skills and simulation training, if the program determines it is necessary and safe to do so. Safety of students, faculty, and staff; available resources; timing of educational event in relationship to program progression; etc., will all be carefully considered when making this decision. The program will inform students via email if they are to report to campus for events such as these.

 

Clinical Phase Students Rotating in Kansas City Area

Inclement weather cancellation of clinical rotations
Clinical learning balances the need for patient care with personal safety.  The SOM administration, faculty, and staff consider student and patient safety a priority, thus inclement weather decisions are made considering both.  University decisions about student learning will be applicable only to those who are in didactic learning environments.  The SOM administration and faculty will assume responsibility for making the decision regarding student clinical endeavors.  When you receive messages from the UMKC Alert system, know that it only applies to didactic learning.

Students on clinical rotations will need to access the UMKC SOM website (www.med.umkc.edu) to note if educational requirements have been cancelled.
A cancellation announcement will be on the website; typically, there will not be an announcement if there is no cancellation, but if administration deems necessary (to confirm and avoid confusion), there may be an announcement confirming regular and/or adjusted scheduling.

When cancelled, students must notify the preceptor at their clinical site that according to the University and SOM policy students are not to attend clinicals.

Non-inclement weather closure of campus
Should campus be closed for a reason other than inclement weather (ie. issue is specific to being on-campus), clinical phase students are expected to attend clinicals for the day. Should the campus closure be of such a nature that students may be negatively affected in some way (emotionally, physically, etc.), the program will alert students to not attend clinicals.

 

Clinical Phase Students Rotating Outside of the Kansas City Area

Inclement weather cancellation of clinical rotations
Operating rooms, hospitals, and clinics may not close for weather conditions, yet students are not expected to put themselves in dangerous situations.  If a student feels as though road conditions are too dangerous for driving, then the student should report the absence to the program as they would with any other type of absence. If a clinical preceptor cancels a clinic day due to inclement weather, it is considered an excused absence and should be reported to the program. Students are not required to make up excused absences due to weather, but should strive to achieve the maximum amount of hours during the rotation.

Non-inclement weather closure of campus
Should campus be closed for a reason other than inclement weather (ie. issue is specific to being on-campus), clinical phase students are expected to attend clinicals for the day. Should the campus closure be of such a nature that students may be negatively affected in some way (emotionally, physically, etc.), the program will alert students to not attend clinicals.

 

Last Updated: 02/2021