Out of concern for the health and safety of our community members, the GTU campus may close in response to Unhealthy Air Quality Index (AQI) levels, or extended power outages (whether planned or unplanned). The GTU does not take decisions about closure lightly and will continue to monitor the AQI and power outage situations closely and make decisions based on the most current information we receive.
We recognize that some employees may need to deal with unhealthy air quality and power outages at their home or in their children’s school or childcare facility, so managers are asked to be flexible with their team members.
Closure due to Unhealthy Air Quality
Outside AQI:
The GTU will close the campus when factors cause our local outside air quality to become unhealthy, as defined by the Air Quality Index (AQI) for Berkeley being between 201-300 which is in the “Very Unhealthy” category. At this level we recommend that all GTU community members in the region take steps to reduce their exposure, by staying home and indoors as much as possible. Employees and students should avoid coming to campus unless it is critical.
All employees are encouraged to work remotely wherever possible while air quality remains at this level or worse.
We recommend that the GTU community monitor the AirNow Website for current AQI by location, and continue to take the above steps if AQI remains above 200.
If the AQI rises above 200 after the start of the workday we encourage employees to stay inside one of the campus buildings and complete the workday as scheduled.
Inside AQI:
The GTU will close a building, or access to a certain area of a building, when the inside air quality becomes unhealthy, as defined by the Air Quality Index (AQI) being between 151-20 which is in the “Unhealthy” category. At this level we recommend staff in the affected area relocate to another location on campus to work, or work remotely, wherever possible.
The GTU has installed PurpleAir Indoor Air Quality Sensors on the top floors of the Library, North, and Annex buildings. We recommend that the employees in that building utilize the PurpleAir Map for current AQI and continue to take the above steps if AQI remains above 151 but below 200.
Power Outages
The GTU will close the campus in response to extended planned and unplanned power outages, including outages that extend past three hours.
Planned Outages:
Based on evolving information and continued ambiguity from PG&E regarding planned power outages, the GTU will determine if it will close no later than 6:00pm the day prior to the planned outage.
If the outage is predicted to last for more than one day but there is no power outage, the campus will return to fully operational status the following business day, with all employees expected to return to work on campus.
All employees are encouraged to work remotely wherever possible while the power outage affects the GTU campus.