Inclement Weather

We will communicate weather-related closure or delay decisions in variety of ways, including:

• Alerts via Hawk Alert
• Alert banner at the top of the CBC website
• Social media posts on CBC’s Facebook Page
• Automated messages on the CBC main phone line (509-547-0511)
• Emails to your college-provided student email address

However, if inclement weather impacts essential services (e.g., electricity, internet, cell service), announcements may be limited to the communication tools available – if any.

All student email addresses (name@students.columbiabasin.edu) are auto-subscribed, but accounts require renewal every two years. We encourage you to also sign up for our Hawk Alert Notification System on your cell phone and/or personal email. Community members are also invited to register.

Employee and Student ENS Login

Community ENS Login

No, we will not. No notification means no cancellation or delay. However, please remember that conditions may change rapidly, so an announcement to close a campus, delay the start time of classes or early release/closure may be made at any time.

We do not send notifications if the campus is open. No notification means no cancellation or delayed start. Please avoid calling campus phone extensions to ask staff about a possible campus closure or delay.

CBC administrators, safety and facilities staff assess current and developing weather conditions at CBC campuses and the surrounding areas in making weather closure or delay decisions. We also collaborate with school districts, Washington State University Tri-Cities and public safety officials with the cities and counties.

Closures, delayed starts or early releases may be announced at any time due to changing weather conditions. However, we make every effort to announce morning closures by 5:15 am and evening class cancellations by 3:30 pm.

CBC rarely makes an announcement the night before because our crews work overnight to prepare the campus parking lots and sidewalks. City and county plows are also at work overnight, so the conditions of roads at 9 pm may improve by the early morning hours.

We have the College community’s safety and best interests at the center of all decisions. While the timing of announcements will not always be ideal for everyone, we encourage students to use caution and assess your local situations to determine if you feel comfortable traveling to campus. We understand that everyone does not live close to CBC, so always assess weather conditions in your local area before determining whether you feel it is safe to travel. If you are unsure if it is prudent to travel, please use your personal judgment and make the best decision for yourself regarding coming to school. Students who are not comfortable commuting are asked to notify their instructors via Canvas that they will not be in class due to travel concerns. Ultimately, it is up to each faculty member to determine how they will handle these types of absences.

We encourage students and faculty to use Canvas to communicate with each other during periods of inclement weather.

When we announce a delayed start, faculty also have the discretion to cancel classes on an individual basis for weather-related travel concerns and will inform students about a cancellation directly via Canvas at least 90 minutes before the class start time.

We encourage students and faculty to use Canvas to communicate with each other during periods of inclement weather.

Students are asked to use their personal judgement to determine whether or not they are comfortable traveling to campus. If you are not comfortable commuting and are unable to attend classes, students are asked to notify their instructors via Canvas that they will not be in class due to travel concerns. Ultimately, it is up to each faculty member to determine how they will handle these types of absences.

We encourage students and faculty to use Canvas to communicate with each other during periods of inclement weather.

Some faculty members may attempt to set a makeup session when students are available or use other means to complete the missed assignments. This decision is at the discretion of the faculty member.

We encourage students and faculty to use Canvas to communicate with each other during periods of inclement weather.

Yes. If the campus is closed, all activities and events are cancelled, and the campus is closed to all students, the public and non-essential personnel.

Please be cautious and take extra time to arrive on campus and while walking on campus. Please wear appropriate footwear to help avoid a slip or fall.

Our grounds, custodial and maintenance teams arrive early during snowy or icy conditions to prepare campus walkways and work throughout the day to maintain sidewalks and parking lots. However, depending on changing conditions, not all areas of campus may be cleared at all times.