Why is it that schools take such pride in being the, "we never close due to weather" campus. If that's the case - then actually mean it! Quit playing the oh so tough guy and close at noon. This is not just for my current campus, but for the past three for which I have taught.
Having gone to college at the University of Minnesota Morris, we truly were tough and according to my friend Dan Gorder, only closed once during my four years there (fall 1995 - spring 2000). I don't remember this, I must have been busy studying ;) - I vaguely remember going behind the PE Annex and trying to snowboard down a little hill with Joe Radunz, Jill Druley and Ryan Raske, it may have been on this day. All I got out of the lesson was, "don't cut the front edge." I digress... Morris didn't have to ever close because on a campus of less than 2000 students, in the middle of nowhere, there were only a handful of commuters who travelled more than four or five miles.
Then when moving to Milwaukee, still snowy, still cold, but with more people, cars, roads and buildings (I remember snow drifts taller than my car in Morris) - the story rang true, almost. They also prided themselves on not closing due to bad weather but it was only a half-truth. They just typically waited until 2 p.m. This was at Marquette, Mt. Mary and UW-Milwaukee. Here at SUNY-Plattsburgh, "that never closes due to the weather" we've already closed early twice - I've only been here two semesters!
Well, sorry schools, but get over the tough guy image, or figure out a better system - show that not everything at a University takes 50 people and twice the time to make a decision. When you do this the entire day is a waste. Students are too busy checking their phones to see when school will close to pay attention. Not productive. If you err and close school when you could have driven (UW - Milwaukee did that once or twice) then you just note that it was bad in some nearby commuter areas, even if driving around campus was fine. This saves you the Charlie Sykes argument about wasting precious taxpayer dollars for canceling class (as he did when the President of the United States last visited Madison and the roads around campus were closed, hence classes were cancelled - again someone playing a false tough-guy image).
Enjoy snow days for what they are - days to enjoy the snow. University professors are resourceful and hopefully can come up with alternative (off-campus) learning activities and lessons on the fly. I did. Students will learn the lesson of driving through crappy roads to get to their "real life" jobs and it's not because they were forced to do the same in college. Don't risk accidents. Need I go on?
In closing - you're not tough for closing for a portion of the day. You're not setting any records. Even if you are - it's an irrational record, so stop it! Stop making everyone hold their breathe waiting for the all important announcement. Take the time and build a snowman, make a snow angel, go skiing, or just sip some hot cocoa and enjoy the beauty of freshly fallen snow - the work will still be there after you've exhaled.
Having gone to college at the University of Minnesota Morris, we truly were tough and according to my friend Dan Gorder, only closed once during my four years there (fall 1995 - spring 2000). I don't remember this, I must have been busy studying ;) - I vaguely remember going behind the PE Annex and trying to snowboard down a little hill with Joe Radunz, Jill Druley and Ryan Raske, it may have been on this day. All I got out of the lesson was, "don't cut the front edge." I digress... Morris didn't have to ever close because on a campus of less than 2000 students, in the middle of nowhere, there were only a handful of commuters who travelled more than four or five miles.
Then when moving to Milwaukee, still snowy, still cold, but with more people, cars, roads and buildings (I remember snow drifts taller than my car in Morris) - the story rang true, almost. They also prided themselves on not closing due to bad weather but it was only a half-truth. They just typically waited until 2 p.m. This was at Marquette, Mt. Mary and UW-Milwaukee. Here at SUNY-Plattsburgh, "that never closes due to the weather" we've already closed early twice - I've only been here two semesters!
Well, sorry schools, but get over the tough guy image, or figure out a better system - show that not everything at a University takes 50 people and twice the time to make a decision. When you do this the entire day is a waste. Students are too busy checking their phones to see when school will close to pay attention. Not productive. If you err and close school when you could have driven (UW - Milwaukee did that once or twice) then you just note that it was bad in some nearby commuter areas, even if driving around campus was fine. This saves you the Charlie Sykes argument about wasting precious taxpayer dollars for canceling class (as he did when the President of the United States last visited Madison and the roads around campus were closed, hence classes were cancelled - again someone playing a false tough-guy image).
Enjoy snow days for what they are - days to enjoy the snow. University professors are resourceful and hopefully can come up with alternative (off-campus) learning activities and lessons on the fly. I did. Students will learn the lesson of driving through crappy roads to get to their "real life" jobs and it's not because they were forced to do the same in college. Don't risk accidents. Need I go on?
In closing - you're not tough for closing for a portion of the day. You're not setting any records. Even if you are - it's an irrational record, so stop it! Stop making everyone hold their breathe waiting for the all important announcement. Take the time and build a snowman, make a snow angel, go skiing, or just sip some hot cocoa and enjoy the beauty of freshly fallen snow - the work will still be there after you've exhaled.
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