University decision ignites discourse among students
To read the accompanying article, which outlines the university’s explanation of last Thursday’s decision, click here.
After administrators announced that USC Aiken would remain open Thursday, Feb. 6, following a severe storm prediction, students responded with questions and speculation.
The storm prediction accompanied by a tornado watch—and brief tornado warning—elicited a quick response from university officials and the decision to remain open despite inclement weather warnings came late Wednesday night.
In the official email, students were warned of a “potential for severe weather conditions in [the] region late Thursday.”
A second email was sent out on Friday morning, which urged students, faculty, staff and guests to consult local weather channels for hazards along their routes and maintain contact with professors “whenever you cannot safely make it to campus.”
In comments on the USCA Student Life page, many commuter students angrily responded to the decision, noting varying issues that would keep them from making it to campus.
Madison Ayers noted that the strain of travel for those who reside over 30 minutes away is different.
“I have an exam tomorrow and I’m pretty sure my professor isn’t going to let me just miss class,” she wrote. “I think they don’t think about their commuters at all.”
This comment was liked by 10 other members of the page and several replies indicated agreement.
“They really don’t care about students that live off campus,” wrote Jessy Candido.
In a poll conducted by News Editor Noelle Kriegel on the same page, students voted on the question “In the event of potentially dangerous weather, should commuting students have the option to be excused from attending class?”
Out of 254 participants, 97.5% selected “yes” and 2.5% selected “no.”
Within the 41 comments, students discussed their views on the matter, with many disagreeing with the university’s decision to continue classes for the day.
“It is very dangerous for us to be driving in weather like tomorrow’s,” wrote Kaitlyn Lowe. “We have exams we can’t miss, but we can barely see the road in front of us to get to class.”
“Better to allow a safe option for those that have a commute than have them risk their safety,” reasoned Jessica Wymbs.
Some students remarked that future employers may still expect staff members to be available, even during certain harsh weather situations, while others argued that the expected storm should not qualify as “inclement weather.”
Fionna Harper disputed this suggestion, noting that driving to a paying job may be different than to the university that students pay to attend.
“Like say you crash on the way to work for whatever reason—if you’re working, you have some sort of substantial income to maybe help you pay for the repair costs.”
Cassie Lynn replied, “I think the issue is just that people are trying to get out of class for no reason.”
Other commenters contended that campus residents should be excused from class, along with commuter students.
Chrysta Stevenson wrote, “Why should I have to walk in the same weather that’s too dangerous for you to drive in?”
One faculty member commented that students should look to attendance policies on the syllabus for any class taking place during the storm.
“You will probably find that you have a specific number of permitted absences regardless of reason,” wrote Dr. Amanda Warren, a professor in the English department and director of the Writing Center. “If you feel uncomfortable walking or driving to class take an absence, but also contact your professor to let them know the situation.”
