Important Information
Snow Days
We know the weather in Otago can sometimes turn a bit nasty! If we have a widespread and disruptive snow or ice weather event, the following process will happen at the Dunedin and Cromwell campuses.
Dunedin Campus
If the weather is disruptive, we normally have a delayed start time of 10.00am. This decision is made by the Chief Executive (or a delegate) by 7.30am.
The decision to delay our start time will be based on the following:
- suggestion from the NZ Police for people to stay at home
- whether buses are running
- if schools have a delayed start
- if there are extensive road closures (road information is available on 0800 444 449).
If the weather situation has not cleared and road closures remain, the Dunedin Campus will be closed for the day. This decision will be made by 8.30am.
We will communicate all decisions by direct email, on Tūhono, on Kāpehu, via Moodle, across our social media channels and on our website. Announcements will also be made on The Hits 89.4, More FM 97.4 and Radio Dunedin 99.8FM.
Whatever the decision and the weather, please travel safe and stay warm! Kia pai tō haerenga. Kia mahana ai koutou.
If there is a full closure of Dunedin Campus
Your kaiwhakaako/lecturer will be in touch about your classes and to confirm their availability online or by phone.
Coming on to campus
If we have a delayed start or close for the day, the Campus Services on-call staff member will ensure buildings are locked down in the normal process for after-hours access which will mean that the usual after-hours access will be available to students for study.
Please travel safe and stay warm! Kia pai tō haerenga. Kia mahana ai koutou.
A reminder of our expectations of you on days like this:
- please ensure that you communicate as early as possible to your ākonga any changes to karaehe/class schedules and confirm your availability online or by phone
- remain ‘contactable’ during the day via phone or īmēra/email for other kaimahi or ākonga
- continue with mahi that is possible to do while not in the office (checking and actioning emails should you have internet access)
- should you choose not to be contactable today, it becomes annual leave.
Stay safe and warm!
If there is a delayed start time
- Your kaiwhakaako/lecturer will let you know if there are any karaehe/class schedule changes.
- Road pārongo/information is available on 0800 444 449 or the NZTA website.
- If you will be unable to get to campus at all today, please contact your kaiwhakaako/lecturer.
- If the huarere/weather continues to deteriorate, we may need to close the Polytechnic for the day. This decision will be communicated via alerts on www.op.ac.nz, Facebook, Moodle, Kāpehu, your OP īmēra/email and on the radio (The Hits 89.4, More FM 97.4 and Radio Dunedin 99.8FM).
Coming on to campus
If we have a delayed start or close for the day, the Campus Services on-call staff member will ensure buildings are locked down in the normal process for after-hours access which will mean that the usual after-hours access will be available to students for study.
Please check these channels for updated information.
Please travel safe and stay warm! Kia pai tō haerenga. Kia mahana ai koutou.
Road pārongo/information is available on 0800 444 449 or the NZTA website.
If you will be unable to get to campus at all today, please contact your formal leader.
If the huarere/weather continues to deteriorate, we may need to close the Polytechnic for the day. This decision will be communicated via this website, Facebook, Moodle, Tūhono, OP email and on the radio (The Hits 89.4, More FM 97.4 and Radio Dunedin 99.8FM). We'll also add this information to Kāpehu for ākonga.
Please check these channels for updated information.
A reminder of our expectations of you on days like this:
- please make a reasonable effort to get to work by 10.00am (or earlier if you can) – ensuring the safety of yourself and others as a priority
- advise of your particular situation (expected time of arrival or inability to make it to work) by 9.00am at the latest
- ensure that you communicate as early as possible to your ākonga any changes to karaehe/class schedules and confirm your availability online or by phone
- remain ‘contactable’ during the day via phone or īmēra/email for other kaimahi or ākonga if you can’t make it into the office
- continue with mahi that is possible to do while not in the office (checking and actioning emails should you have internet access)
- should you choose not to be contactable today, it becomes annual leave.
Please travel safe and stay warm! Kia pai tō haerenga. Kia mahana ai koutou.
If the Dunedin Campus is open but the weather is bad
Your kaiwhakaako/lecturer will let you know if there are any karaehe/class schedule changes due to some kaimahi/staff being unable to get to campus.
If you will be delayed getting to campus, or unable to get here at all today, please let your kaiwhakaako/lecturer know.
Otherwise, please travel safe and stay warm! Kia pai tō haerenga. Kia mahana ai koutou.
If you will be delayed getting to campus, or unable to get there at all today, please contact your formal leader. Otherwise, please travel safe and stay warm! Kia pai tō haerenga. Kia mahana ai koutou.
A reminder of our expectations of you on days like this:
- please make a reasonable effort to get to work – ensuring the safety of yourself and others as a priority
- advise of your particular situation (expected time of arrival or inability to make it to work) by 9.00am at the latest
- ensure that you communicate as early as possible to your ākonga any changes to karaehe/class schedules and confirm your availability online or by phone
- remain ‘contactable’ during the day via phone or īmēra/email for other kaimahi or ākonga if you can’t make it into the office
- continue with mahi that is possible to do while not in the office (checking and actioning emails should you have internet access)
- should you choose not to be contactable today, it becomes annual leave.
Cromwell Campus
Cromwell Campus are responsible for their own communications and will connect with learners and staff.
- The Campus Coordinator will make a decision about closure for the day and is then responsible for communication.
- As staff travel from Queenstown, Wanaka, Alexandra and Roxburgh, a decision is made as early as 6.00am.
- A cancellation notice is issued via radio station Media Works, which covers the Central Otago area, at about 6.15am.
It is more common that the Central Otago Campus has to close early to ensure that people can get home from work.
