Multiple sources offer weather updates for students

For IU students, being updated about campus information could be easier if they stay tuned in.

Dean of Students Pete Goldsmith said students can find weather and campus emergency-related updates through a variety of options.

The Dean of Students Office reminded students that IU updates weather advisory information, including delays and closures, on four media outlets: the IU-Bloomington Web site, WFIU Public Radio, WTIU TV and the IU Emergency Preparedness Web site.

According to the office, as IU has had more than its usual winter’s allotment of snow this year, students should keep their eyes on those sources regularly.   
     
“This has been a busy season,” said George Walker, producer and on-air broadcast director of WFIU. “In addition to our on-air announcements and regular weather forecasts and reports, we announce the area’s closings, delays and postponements.”
Goldsmith said campus will not close on most occasions.

“My operating assumption is that the University will be open if at all possible,” Goldsmith said. “Since we are a residential campus with lots of students and faculty who live relatively close, we think it is reasonable for us to remain open. We just need to communicate that better and then help students who may not be able to get here for one reason or another.”

Walker said most of WFIU’s focus for closings and delays occurs during the morning, when they are presenting Morning Edition from National Public Radio with area news, weather and public service announcements. WFIU does updates during each break of a 10-minute segment.

WFIU 103.7 announcer Cliff Gagliardo said a weather emergency radio would keep students informed.

“When there is an emergency the station gets a report from EAS (the Emergency Alert System),” Gagliardo said. “The announcer will announce the report at differing regular intervals according to the severity of the warning.”

A tornado warning, however, will automatically cut off broadcast and a prepared message will be played.

Gagliardo said going online is another effective way to find weather updates.

WTIU manager of on-air operations Joe Hren said WTIU TV has been working closely with WFIU Radio to get emergency messages to its audience in about 30 counties in west, south and central Indiana when necessary.

He said places such as Monroe County Public Library will use WTIU’s automated system to report a status update.

“The system is automated,” Hren said. “So as soon as the entities place in their statuses through a touch-tone phone, it is automatically downloaded to our Web site and will signal both operators at WTIU and WFIU.”

He said the WTIU operators will run the ticker at the bottom of the screen when they receive the signal.