Why Code Purple?

I have received a couple questions about last week’s Code Purple. I responded to those asking the questions but thought that the full NOVA community might also be interested.

NOVA has had a color-coded closure announcement system for several years. Some history: on January 16, 2024, the first day of last spring semester classes, I declared a Code Red (college closed, classes cancelled) due to a weather emergency. In the days following, I heard from teaching faculty who criticized the action. Their position was that NOVA should no longer have “snow days” because students could and should be provided instruction via Zoom on those days. Recognizing its role, I turned to the College Senate for its recommendation on the matter.

The Senate issued its resolution in February 2024, and given the reason for my referral of the matter, this resolution speaks specifically to how the use of Code Purple during an active semester could negatively impact both faculty teaching in-person classes and their students. I accepted this recommendation and noted that NOVA would move to Code Purple during active semesters only during longer-term emergencies. Code Red would be the call during short-term emergencies when in-person classes were in session.

NOVA’s decisions on the college’s operational status are informed by reports from our Public Safety, Emergency Management and Facilities teams, as well as reports from state and local emergency operations sources. Our first priority in these matters is always the safety of the NOVA community. Monday’s snow was predicted to impact roadways and travel but was not predicted to cause widespread power outages (as might a winter ice storm). So, the recommendation was to move to Code Purple: campuses closed, remote operations. I accepted this recommendation.

Why?

First, NOVA Spring classes were not in session last week, so declaring Code Purple did not create confusion or hardship for students taking in-person classes nor faculty teaching them.

Second, and very importantly, NOVA had just reopened after winter break. Closing the college outright last week would have significantly disadvantaged students seeking to resolve issues from fall and finalize spring enrollment. We were (and are) in a peak time for student services. Shifting to remote operations for the first two days of last week, rather than closing, offered students the opportunity to continue to access essential services during a critical time.

So, NOVA went Code Purple. And, recognizing the impact of the weather on both our students and the team members working with them, we also extended the tuition payment deadline from Tuesday to Friday last week and communicated this to students. The extension provided more time for both paying and processing student tuition.

NOVA’s decision to close the campuses but continue virtual services aligned with the decisions of most regional colleges/universities and VCCS institutions.

I know that some of our employees live in more rural areas where weather emergencies, in every season, may have a more significant and lasting impact. If you ever believe it is not safe to travel to work due to weather conditions, communicate directly with your supervisor to discuss alternate arrangements. If you ever need to telework temporarily, reach out to your supervisor to explain your situation and complete the application. Supervisors can approve temporary telework for a period of up to two weeks.

Hopefully, we will not need to invoke the college closure framework again this winter, but if so, please know that we do so with great thought regarding the safety of and impact on our students and employees.

Kind regards, Anne