Q. Why doesn’t the campus announce class delays in the morning when local school districts announce delays?
A. Local school districts typically start classes for all students around 7:30 a.m. We have just a few classes that begin at 8:00 a.m. during the winter semester. Also, K – 12 students must wait along the area roads in the bad weather to catch their buses. Area schools also have the ability to make up lost days, but the campus does not. Hence, canceling classes eliminates the class time you have paid for. We also have students living on campus who can walk to class.
Q. If the campus is open, am I required to come to class?
A. It is your decision on whether or not you are comfortable driving on the roads to campus. If you do not make it to class, it is important for you to contact your professor(s) as soon as possible to let them know why you were not in attendance. Ultimately, it is up to each professor to determine how they handle these types of absences, but I believe they will be reasonable and understanding.
Q. Why isn’t the campus closed on some days when the news is reporting hazardous road conditions?
A. Often, especially early in the winter, newscasts tend to sensationalize the road conditions. We depend on first-hand reports of road conditions to determine whether or not they are passable.
Q. If the start of classes is delayed, how do I know which class(es) to attend?
A. Some campuses use what is called a compressed schedule, where the entire schedule changes by using shorter classes. However, we follow the existing schedule no matter what time we start. For instance, if the start of classes is delayed until 10:00 a.m., you would attend your scheduled 10:00 a.m. class at the regular time and follow your schedule through the rest of the day.
Q. Are day and evening classes treated differently?
A. They are. Decisions about day classes are made by 6:30 a.m. and decisions regarding evening classes (starting times of 6:00 p.m. or later) are made by 4:00 p.m. It is possible to have any portion of the schedule cancelled.
Q. If my class if cancelled, will it be made up?
A. Some instructors may attempt to set a make-up session when students are available.
Q. Why aren’t the sidewalks always clear?
A. If the snow is occurring during the day, it is sometimes impossible to keep up with clearing the sidewalks. The maintenance crew will continue to make multiple passes to keep sidewalks and roadways as clear as possible. At times, the temperatures are low enough that salt will not melt the snow and ice, so it is important that everyone is careful as they walk across the campus. As temperatures warm and / or the sun comes out, the salt is able to melt the snow and ice.
