Dealing with cold: Temps similar, but circumstances different from 1994 freeze-out

Forecasts of extreme cold weather may have local K-12 districts pondering Monday cancellations, but at UW-Green Bay the policies and precedents are clear. The University will be open for business, as is customary. As with any winter-weather situation, the decision to travel in to report to work, or stay home and take vacation, is up to each individual employee and supervisor. Some veteran UW-Green Bay employees will remember how the University handled a similar deep freeze exactly 20 years ago. On that occasion, Tuesday, Jan 18, 1994, the city of Green Bay recorded its lowest “high temperature” ever — it never got warmer than a windy -18° F, after dawning at -28°. While the campus remained open, with employees expected to report, the difference then was that regular classes were in session. Interim Chancellor William Kuepper cancelled classes for what would have been the first day of the spring semester. He expressed concern that commuting students, more than a few driving “old clunkers,” would be unable to start or restart their cars and would be stranded here or en route. (If you’re interested in the University’s current Winter Storm Policy, there is information online.)