Lack of snow day perplexes many UDM students
Ally Levise
Issue date: 2/17/10 Section: News
The University of Detroit Mercy was one of very few colleges in southeastern Michigan still holding classes on Feb. 12 despite the six inches of snow that was dumped on the metro-Detroit area.
Sophomore Thomas Gatchell, a communications major who lives on campus, made it from the dorms to his scheduled class to find that only six people of 15 attended.
"It's not like there was a blizzard," said Gatchell.
It may have been relatively easy for those who live on campus to make it to class, but most students commute to UDM.
In many cases, those who braved the icy roads sat in classes that were half the normal attendance.
Junior commuter Chase Simon drove to UDM for his three scheduled classes.
"All three got let out early," he said.
Senior Horacio Padilla didn't have class, but he participates in work-study at UDM and was still expected to show up for work.
"I'm a commuter and it's very difficult sometimes," said Padilla. "You're putting yourself at risk."
Many commuters decided not to take that risk.
Tamarra Thomas, a senior, commutes 35 minutes from Clinton Twp. She decided not to make the trek to school for her two scheduled classes.
"I didn't feel like dealing with Michigan drivers," said Thomas.
Because most schools did not open, UDM students with young children were inconvenienced.
"My son's school was closed," said Maryia Bouey, 29.
She had to miss her scheduled class because otherwise her pre-school aged son would have had no one to watch him.
"I was mad because every other school was closed," she said.
Many professors at UDM ended up cancelling classes.
Sophomore commuter Laura Hawatmeh's one scheduled class was cancelled, but she hadn't planned on going anyway.
"I just wasn't going to come because it's not worth it," said Hawatmeh. "All of my friends were at home."
At least one long-time professor told her students that the university takes pride in rarely closing for weather. She said the university has cancelled class only a few times in her two decades here.
Sophomore Thomas Gatchell, a communications major who lives on campus, made it from the dorms to his scheduled class to find that only six people of 15 attended.
"It's not like there was a blizzard," said Gatchell.
It may have been relatively easy for those who live on campus to make it to class, but most students commute to UDM.
In many cases, those who braved the icy roads sat in classes that were half the normal attendance.
Junior commuter Chase Simon drove to UDM for his three scheduled classes.
"All three got let out early," he said.
Senior Horacio Padilla didn't have class, but he participates in work-study at UDM and was still expected to show up for work.
"I'm a commuter and it's very difficult sometimes," said Padilla. "You're putting yourself at risk."
Many commuters decided not to take that risk.
Tamarra Thomas, a senior, commutes 35 minutes from Clinton Twp. She decided not to make the trek to school for her two scheduled classes.
"I didn't feel like dealing with Michigan drivers," said Thomas.
Because most schools did not open, UDM students with young children were inconvenienced.
"My son's school was closed," said Maryia Bouey, 29.
She had to miss her scheduled class because otherwise her pre-school aged son would have had no one to watch him.
"I was mad because every other school was closed," she said.
Many professors at UDM ended up cancelling classes.
Sophomore commuter Laura Hawatmeh's one scheduled class was cancelled, but she hadn't planned on going anyway.
"I just wasn't going to come because it's not worth it," said Hawatmeh. "All of my friends were at home."
At least one long-time professor told her students that the university takes pride in rarely closing for weather. She said the university has cancelled class only a few times in her two decades here.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Kingkn
posted 2/18/10 @ 9:13 PM EST
I was so mad when I found out school was not cancelled. My drive typically lasts about 45 munutes and it took me an hour and half to get to class... come to find out, while I was making my commute, my professor sent out an email saying class was cancelled. (Continued…)
Kourtney Davis
posted 2/22/10 @ 8:59 AM EST
I think it is crazy the University never closes for snow. It is Feb. 22 and again many schools are closed and again we have class. I am sure all day there will be about half the students attending class and professors will not go into detail about anything. (Continued…)
Matthew
posted 3/03/10 @ 9:58 PM EST
I drove in that day, it was perfectly fine. Glad the others school drivers got out of my way.
Wish my profs would not have canceled classes. Seems wrong when they keep the school open but the faculty don't come. (Continued…)
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