The recent snowfall and the subsequent class cancellations have caused quite a few headaches for students.
Shepherd University is a college prone to its share of snowfall and often commuters find themselves in a bind about getting to school if the roads are too dangerous.
While Shepherd does take off for snow days, those deciding to close the school may not realize the days that follow are maybe just as bad and the amount of time it takes for back roads to melt and become safe. Shepherd has ways to notify students about whether or not school will be in session through email or RAVE alerts, but some students feel the alerts are not being sent at a decent time because decisions are not being made fast enough.
Junior Sydney Sharp said, “I think that giving more notice to students would be extremely helpful.
Just recently we were notified that classes were canceled only two hours before they would have begun. Obviously it was way too dangerous to drive in, so I’m not sure why they took so long to make a decision.”
Some commuters were able to get to campus. However, when they did, the parking spots that were not taken were still filled with snow. It wasn’t just commuters who were upset about the lack of help for students during the snow. Residents were leaving their dorms and going to class and still finding slick spots on the sidewalks and steps.
Junior Mahaley Beatey said, “There could definitely be some more preparation for snow. People could salt the sidewalks, stairs, and pretty much anywhere else students are going to have to walk.”
While students are dealing with the after effects of snow days, they must also try to withstand all of the makeup work; professors are forced to rearrange their lesson plans and find ways to teach their students everything the weather caused them to miss.
The Shepherd University webpage states, “Individual students who have encountered severe travel conditions should notify their instructors of their absence prior to the next class meeting and should request appropriate arrangements for the makeup of course work.”
Sophomore Morgan Carper said, “If the campus doesn’t officially close, it’s hard to make a decision on whether to try and go. If you do go, you could get hurt or get in a wreck. If you don’t go, you end up making a bad impression on your professor and missing class.”
Many people, whether students or professors, are having trouble dealing with the recent snow and there is only more to come.
Freshman Dakota Oliver has a solution: “They could make more snow day options in the schedule. Give us an extra week of school and if we have snow days, it takes up that amount of time. I wouldn’t mind going an extra week if it meant everyone was able to stay safe.”