Snow Day or Snow Schedule?

Image Courtesy of Google

It is no secret that Mother Nature has not been shy with snow this semester.  With a handful of snow days, late starts and classes ending after a specific time, many of us wonder what the real difference between these days are and what goes into making those decisions.  And what exactly is the new snow schedule?

Were you aware that there is a new snow policy in affect?  Ashlee Brockenbrough, a third year English student, was not.

“I didn’t know there was a new snow schedule.  When did this happen?” Brockenbrough questions.

Brockenbrough’s response was not unlike other students.  Some knew of the schedule change but many did not.  As a commuter, Ashlee appreciated the later time but feels bad for the teachers of the earlier class times whose classes will constantly be canceled.

On Feb. 4, Dr. Nina Caldwell, Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students, sent out an e-mail to the entire student body articulating the details of the new snow policy.  There will be three possible outcomes in times of inclement weather: classes canceled, classes starting at 10:50 a.m., or the campus closing at a specific time.

As opposed to the old snow policy, there will not be any classes held before 10:50 a.m.  The University offices will open at 10:00 a.m. with the 10:50 a.m. class being the first class held for the day and the rest of the day resuming as scheduled.  During the snow schedule, all of the classes will be held for their full duration.  This is unlike the previous snow schedule that designated certain classes to only be held for a fraction of their normal time.  According to Dr. Caldwell, it logically made sense to have a consistent time for all classes, especially with some only meeting for 15 to 20 minutes.

Different factors are considered when making the decision between whether or not to close the campus.  The weather is the biggest factor.  The most common weather occurrence we are familiar with is snow, but it is not the only one.  Tornadoes and other natural disasters could affect the class schedule as well.  Under such circumstances, the University considers the conditions of the roads around campus as well as the campus itself.  In cases such as snow, the University will take all factors into consideration to make sure the students and staff are both safe.

During a day in which the new snow schedule is in effect, the entire campus will be up and running at 10:00 a.m.  Students will be able to have a regular day.  The Food Service will be operating as well as the CSC.  The University staff tries to make sure all of the essentials are taken care of to have the most regular day as possible for the students, as long as there is available staff.

Dr. Caldwell said she “encourages all students to sign up for Saints Alert in order to get the most accurate and up to date information.”  In order to receive notifications through Saints Alert, students must have text messaging capabilities.  Students can go to the Public Safety website to sign up.  The University website is also a good place to go to when curious about whether or not school will be in session, as well as local news stations.

Before the next snow storm comes through town, or before tornado season sets upon us, sign up for Saints Alert and familiarize yourself with the new inclement weather schedule policy that is currently in effect.