State Policy on Emergency Closures and Essential Employee Responsibilities
By Department of Human Resources | Aug 24, 2026
Below is a summary of New York State's emergency closure policy applicable to weather-related events, public health crises, and other emergencies:
Only the Governor has the authority to close state agencies. which includes SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University. Local governmental officials, police, radio, and television stations do not have the authority to close state offices and facilities. Likewise, declarations of a state of emergency or road closures do not equate to the closure of state facilities.
On the rare occasion that the Governor issues an order of closure, you will be notified. If an announcement is made that only essential service employees are expected to report to work, those employees should make every effort to report. University Presidents are authorized to cancel classes even if the Governor has not closed facilities. They may also excuse non-essential employees from work. where appropriate accruals may be charged.
Campus administration has the discretion to determine who is considered essential and must report to work based on the specifics of an emergency or extraordinary circumstance. In general, essential employees shall be those whose duties include continuing care and/or safety of patients, students, property, or animals; maintaining mission-critical systems; or emergency response, relief, and recovery. Please note that all University Hospital-based employees are designated as essential.
This notification will be sent to all employees, including those within the academic enterprise. at the start of the academic year. Supervisors may use the attached Essential Employee Notification form for this purpose. Once signed by the employee, the department should forward a copy to the Office of Employee & Labor Relations.
The Governor and the Civil Service Commission may retroactively excuse absences related to extreme weather or other emergencies by suspending time and attendance rules. This determination will be communicated to SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University following any emergency. Only when the Governor or Civil Service makes this determination may employees' absences be considered "excused." You will be informed of the credits charged to cover related absences at that time.
Please post this memorandum in your offices.
Tags: Human Resources