Editorial: Slippery Campus
By: Editorial Board
Issue date: 2/16/07 Section: Ed-Op
Originally published: 2/16/07 at 2:14 AM EST
Last update: 2/16/07 at 8:28 AM EST
Originally published: 2/16/07 at 2:14 AM EST
Last update: 2/16/07 at 8:28 AM EST
Most of our readers have been at Drexel long enough to know that it takes a really bad winter storm for administrators to even consider canceling classes. In fact, we can only recall one time that night classes were cancelled during the past few winters.
This week's storm, although it lacked significant snow accumulation, was still a bad winter storm. The mixture of snow, sleet and freezing rain that fell on Drexel's campus created extremely slippery surfaces. We were surprised that classes were not at least delayed on Wednesday morning.
We understand that both UPenn and Temple held classes on Wednesday, but Drexel's student body has a higher proportion of commuter students than either of these schools. Many students live off-campus and need to drive or take public transportation to campus. We were disappointed that morning classes were not cancelled Wednesday for the safety of students.
The city of Philadelphia slacked considerably with the clearing streets during this winter storm. Most side streets near Drexel were covered with snow, slush or solid ice for the entire day on Wednesday. Many students indicated that the situation was similar in other parts of the city. Unfortunately, the University cannot count on the city of make sure that the roads students travel on are properly treated in time for classes.
Winter weather can vary greatly by location. Some suburbs of Philadelphia saw significantly more snow than the city. Some received more ice. Administrators should also take into account conditions around the city and its suburbs before holding classes since so many staff and students commute from the suburbs to campus.
Some professors chose to cancel classes themselves because of the storm. Others still held classes and told students that they wouldn't cancel class unless the school did. This situation presents an interesting concern. What is the policy regarding professors canceling classes? If a policy does exist, it appears that many professors do not know of it.
Finally, many students complained about the amount of ice and snow that remained on walkways hours after the storm had ended. We understand that cleaning up after an ice storm is difficult, but that means that accommodations, like delays or cancellations, are necessary.
We implore the University to take a look at its snow cancellation policy and make sure that the safety of everyone at Drexel is at the heart of the policy.
This week's storm, although it lacked significant snow accumulation, was still a bad winter storm. The mixture of snow, sleet and freezing rain that fell on Drexel's campus created extremely slippery surfaces. We were surprised that classes were not at least delayed on Wednesday morning.
We understand that both UPenn and Temple held classes on Wednesday, but Drexel's student body has a higher proportion of commuter students than either of these schools. Many students live off-campus and need to drive or take public transportation to campus. We were disappointed that morning classes were not cancelled Wednesday for the safety of students.
The city of Philadelphia slacked considerably with the clearing streets during this winter storm. Most side streets near Drexel were covered with snow, slush or solid ice for the entire day on Wednesday. Many students indicated that the situation was similar in other parts of the city. Unfortunately, the University cannot count on the city of make sure that the roads students travel on are properly treated in time for classes.
Winter weather can vary greatly by location. Some suburbs of Philadelphia saw significantly more snow than the city. Some received more ice. Administrators should also take into account conditions around the city and its suburbs before holding classes since so many staff and students commute from the suburbs to campus.
Some professors chose to cancel classes themselves because of the storm. Others still held classes and told students that they wouldn't cancel class unless the school did. This situation presents an interesting concern. What is the policy regarding professors canceling classes? If a policy does exist, it appears that many professors do not know of it.
Finally, many students complained about the amount of ice and snow that remained on walkways hours after the storm had ended. We understand that cleaning up after an ice storm is difficult, but that means that accommodations, like delays or cancellations, are necessary.
We implore the University to take a look at its snow cancellation policy and make sure that the safety of everyone at Drexel is at the heart of the policy.
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