Champlain College Lennoxville Regulation for Justified Absences for Given Adverse Weather and Road Conditions
Changes in season necessarily mean changes in commuting conditions, whether walking, taking public transportation or driving. All members of the community are responsible for using their best judgement and exercising caution when travelling in inclement weather.
In the interest of the safety of our students, the College has opted to formally adopt an adverse driving conditions regulation.
Whether or not to close the College because of inclement weather is often a difficult decision to make. The College Residences are within walking distance and many students and employees reside in Lennoxville. However, we live in a climate where road conditions may be less than ideal at times of the year due to severe weather, particularly outside the Sherbrooke area, and for students who are often new drivers and who are driving to campus daily.
Olivia’s Clause shall be triggered automatically under the following circumstances:
- A snow day closure of all of schools and centres (vocational and adult education) is announced by the Eastern Townships School Board (ETSB); or
- When the Société de Transport de Sherbrooke (STS) suspends operations.
As of the Fall Semester 2023, on days designated as such, the College will implement Olivia’s Clause granting justified absences to all students (in courses and stages).
Students are expected to contact teachers to arrange for any missed materials and assignments and seek copies of notes from fellow students. For missed stages, internship hours must be made up in as far as it is possible to do so. Stage teachers are invited to contact the relevant Dean for managing more complex situations.
When an in-class evaluation was scheduled for a day when Olivia’s Clause is triggered, the teacher may elect to cancel the class and administer the evaluation in the subsequent scheduled class period. In the situation where an additional class period is unavailable, College administration will work with the specific faculty member to find alternatives.
Especially during inclement weather, students and employees are encouraged to avail themselves of public transportation where possible.
The College Administration maintains the right to close the College or a portion thereof under other circumstances. The Director of Constituent College shall make this decision.
Communication:
Announcement of the application of Olivia’s Clause shall be communicated through the College’s usual internal mechanisms (i.e. Omnivox and Email) and posted on the College website and social media platforms as quickly as possible.
The present proposal is so named in honour of Olivia Grimes, a cherished Special Care Counselling student and member of the Champlain Lennoxville community who died tragically in a car accident in January of 2023.
