Inclement Weather Policy and Procedures

As December is once again upon us, the college would like to remind the QCC community of its inclement weather policies and procedures. These will be used in the event that classes and activities are canceled or delayed due to snow, other inclement weather, or an emergency situation.

Cancellation Notification: If it becomes necessary to cancel or delay classes and activities due to the weather and/or an emergency, you may contact the College’s Inclement Weather Line, 508.854.4545, or visit www.QCC.edu/inclement-weather for information.

The priority of Cancellation Notifications is:

• QCC's Inclement Weather Line (508.854.4545)
• QCC Mobile App (Search "QCC Mobile" in your app store.)
• QCC Alerts Text Message (Log in to The Q; sign up at the "My QCC Alert" Link.)
• QCC Family Email to Faculty and Staff
• Radio Stations
• Television Stations

Cancellation of Classes: If classes and activities are canceled, only assigned non-unit professional staff and those classified staff designated as “essential personnel” must report to work. (QCC Employees--See your supervisor with questions.)

Decisions: The decision to cancel or delay classes and activities will be based upon the best information available regarding the operational status of the campus – including heat, electricity, and/or snow removal; the accessibility of the campus – including the availability of public transportation and street conditions in the City of Worcester and surrounding areas. Conditions may vary greatly within the College’s service area. Students must ultimately determine if they are able to attend classes and if it is safe to do so. Students are encouraged to become familiar with the policies of their instructors regarding making up missed work.

Timing of Decisions: Day Classes & Activities (Mon – Sun): Decisions to cancel or delay day classes and activities will be made and conveyed through notifications and radio/television stations at the earliest possible time, but no later than 5:30 a.m. of the day in question. Please Note: Day classes and activities include classes and activities starting before 4:00 p.m.

Evening Classes & Activities (Mon – Fri): Decisions to cancel or delay evening classes and activities will be made as early as possible, but no later than 2:30 p.m. of the day in question. Please Note: Evening classes and activities include classes and activities starting at 4:00 p.m. or later.

Delayed Opening of Classes: In some cases, the beginning of day classes and activities may be delayed to begin at the time indicated in the announcement.

All staff, except “essential personnel” who may already be at work, should report to work at the delayed start time. The decision to cancel or delay classes and activities will be based upon the best information available regarding: the operational status of the campus – including heat, light and snow removal; and the accessibility of the campus – including the availability of public transportation and street conditions in the City of Worcester and surrounding areas. Conditions may vary greatly within the college’s service. Students must ultimately determine if they are able to attend classes and if it is safe to do so. Students are encouraged to become familiar with the policies of their instructors regarding making up missed work.

Satellite Site Operations: Day classes and activities include classes and activities starting before 4:00 p.m. Evening classes and activities include classes and activities starting at 4:00 p.m. or later.

QCC Satellite locations follow the cancellation schedule of the main campus, MAIN - QCC Main Campus, 670 West Boylston Street, Worcester, MA 01606

QCC Satellite locations are:

• QSB - QCC Southbridge, 5 Optical Drive, Southbridge, MA 01550
• D - QCC Healthcare and Workforce Development Center, 25 Federal Street, Worcester, MA 01608
• CWDCE - QCC Center for Workforce Development and Continuing Education, 25 Federal Street, Worcester, MA 01608
• SRCT - QCC at Worcester Senior Center, 128 Providence St, Worcester, MA 01604
• QCC Dental Clinic, 670 West Boylston Street, Worcester, MA 01606

The following QCC satellite locations follow the cancellation policies of those institutions:

• BURN - QCC at Burncoat, 179 Burncoat Street, Worcester, MA 01606
• ASSA - QCC at Assabet, 215 Fitchburg St, Marlborough, MA 01752
• QCC at Worcester Technical, 1 Skyline Drive, Worcester, MA 01605

Student Clinical Placements, Co-Op Placements, and Externships: Many of Quinsigamond Community College’s academic programs and/or certificates require students to participate in experiential learning; e.g., clinical, practicum, etc. Since many of these external sites remain open during inclement weather conditions, students should anticipate that they might be expected to report to an external site even if the college closes as a result of inclement weather. At the beginning of each semester, faculty program coordinators will inform students within their programs of the procedures they are expected to follow during inclement weather.

Additional Details:

Text Message Notification: Inclement weather alerts will be sent out as a text message using the QCC Alert system. Students and Faculty can enter their cell phone numbers through The Q. Staff can send email to help [at] qcc.mass.edu .

QCC Mobile App: The QCC Mobile App offers inclement weather alerts and emergency notifications.  QCC Mobile can be downloaded from Google Play, The App Store, or The Windows Store.

Radio and TV Station notification: Inclement weather cancellations are reported on the following radio and TV stations, as applicable. Please note some stations do not allow postings of delayed opening times (e.g. The College will open at 10:30 a.m.). They require delays to be posted in hours (e.g. a 2-hour delay). For these instances, the College’s general business hours of 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. will be utilized. Therefore, a 2-hour delay means the College is opening at 10 a.m. For specific opening times, visit www.QCC.edu/inclement-weather or call the inclement weather line at 508.854.4545.

Radio stations: 

• WTAG (AM 580)
• WSRS (FM 96)
• WBZ (AM 1030)

TV stations:

• WCVB (Ch. 5)
• WBZ (Ch. 4)
• WHDH (Ch. 7)
• WFXT (Ch 25)
• NBC Boston (Ch 8.1, Ch 60.2, Ch 60.5)
• NECN: (channel number varies by cable/satellite provider)

Please do not call the radio and television stations directly OR the college’s main number to find out about inclement weather closings or cancellations. Visit The inclement Weather page or call the QCC Weather Line at 508.854.4545.