Last Monday, many University students said they were not sure what surprised them more: the fact that the ground was coated with a fresh blanket of snow or that the University was running on a normal operating schedule.
The University's Inclement Weather Policy states the following:
"All schools and departments of the University remain open during regularly scheduled hours while the University is in session regardless of weather conditions. No dean or faculty member is authorized to cancel a regularly scheduled class because of inclement weather."
Second-year College student Elizabeth O'Connor said she thinks this policy is too harsh. Because she lives in Copeley, she said she believes University officials need to consider the distances that some students have to travel to get to class during days of excessive snowfall.
"Because some of us -- even in University housing -- rely on the bus to get to class, we shouldn't have to go to class if the UTS buses can't be running on time," O'Connor said.
O'Connor also said she thinks some professors' e-mail subject lines remain unfairly ambiguous about whether or not their classes will be canceled on snow days.
"Professors should realize that it's cruel to toy with our emotions by sending out emails with "Class" in the subject line, but when you open the e-mail it says, "WILL STILL BE OCCURRING," O'Connor said. "This is especially annoying when you have a 9 a.m. class."
First-year College student Kevin Zdancewicz said he believes the University's policy for inclement weather is too strict compared to other colleges' policies.
"I think that the University should allow for more snow days," Zdancewicz said. "Other schools seem to have them more often than we do. And no professors that I know of canceled classes."
The fact that one of Charlottesville's largest snow storms of the year came during mid-term week was another disappointment for students.
"I haven't even been able to go outside at all in the snow because I have three tests this week," Zdancewicz said.
While many students agreed the University needs to make adjustments to its school-closing policy for wintry weather, other students had different opinions. Third-year Engineering student Jeff Shepley said he believes the University made a sound judgment in its decision to hold classes as usual Monday.
"The buses were running, and the roads were clear," Shepley said. "Plus, everyone I've seen owns some kind of snow boots. Besides, some midterms were postponed, and a few classes were canceled, depending on the professor."
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