Letter to the Editor: February 9, 2010

Univ. wrong to not cancel Tuesday with dangerous roads

I would just like to say that I don’t approve of West Virginia University’s decision to reopen on Tuesday, Feb. 9.

I traveled around the city Monday running errands and saw that the roads are still atrocious in areas.

As of 3 p.m. Monday afternoon, West Run and Stewartstown Roads were still covered and very dangerous.

Sidewalks in residential areas downtown, like Westover and South Park, were still ice-covered as well.

But because the University vainly only considers the sidewalks "on campus," those sidewalks in off-campus, residential areas don’t count.

If we were still under the age of 18 and the University had a legal responsibility to care for our safety ( like elementary and high schools), the University would take more precautions to ensure our safety by closing the school and working more closely with the county and state transportation systems to treat sidewalks and roads.

Because we are adults we are expected "to use caution and good judgment in traveling back to campus" (from the announcement on MIX, posted Feb.8, 5:24pm).

Faculty aren’t required to make exceptions for those who total their car getting to class or break an ankle after falling on a sidewalk.

But, they are "urged ... to be understanding."

So in the end, students must choose between attendance points or their safety, which is an unfair and unproductive way to learn.

Unfair in that you are penalizing students who are not willing to risk their lives for a day of class, and unproductive in that a student who is worried about getting to and from class is not focused in class.

Either way, the university must come to value student lives.

Sara Lewis
Junior, English Major

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5 comments

Chronic Opinion Writer

Wed Feb 10 2010 12:26

Totally agree with WVU Mom. I am absolutely appalled that the roads are THIS horrible. I am not sure whether it is the city or the state's responsibility to clear the roads, but I am going to find out! I hope something changes!

Anonymous

Tue Feb 9 2010 14:28

I agree with Anonymous and classes should have been canceled today. Roads were still bad and I ended up walking on 12" high sidewalks made of ice from Westover to the Walnut PRT. If they're not going to cancel then the University needs to make certain that the surrounding areas are safe for both drivers and pedestrians.

Good Student

Tue Feb 9 2010 10:22

I am glad they did not cancel, I like learning.

Anonymous

Tue Feb 9 2010 10:21

The problem isn't WVU not canceling, it is the attendance policies most teachers have put in place. In the real world, if it is snowing, they will most likely not cancel. But, they also understand that it is your call as to whether or not you are coming in or staying home. The attendance policy at this University is idiotic. They have even gone as far as charging students money to prove they are in class. (I-clicker) It is my choice to decide if I am going to class. If I decide to miss, I am responsible for the material.

WVU Mom

Tue Feb 9 2010 09:24

Dear Morgantown Mayor & City Council: GET A SNOW REMOVAL PLAN!

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