CLARION, PA., Feb. 18 -  Clarion University’s lack of cancellations during the last few weeks have some students in uproar, but President Grunenwald’s office says that there was nothing they could really do.

On Wednesday, Feb. 10, Clarion was hit with about 15 inches of snow, and no daytime classes were canceled; however, night classes were canceled at 5 p.m. Students experienced difficulty getting to class. Snow covered cars hindered road crews and others from clearing roads and sidewalks.

Sophomore, Samuel Krebs said, “I don’t understand.  If they are concerned about the safety of their students, why don’t they cancel class?”

The answer is that about 75 percent of Clarion’s students live on-campus as opposed to off-campus. With the convenience of six residence halls being located on Clarion’s campus, it is easier for students living there to get to classes.

Is this fair for students who live on S. Fifth Avenue or the residents of Reinhard Villages when bus transportation is halted due to bad roads?

According to ResLife, Reinhard Villages is technically “on-campus living.” However, many students living in Reinhard didn’t get plowed out of parking spots until the next day.

Some Reinhard residents, such as freshman Vincent Angelo, got notices from Campus Safety saying that they weren’t supposed to leave Reinhard until the plows could come through.
For the students who actually made it to class, their biggest concern was that the sidewalks on and off campus weren’t clear.

“There are hardly any sidewalks walking to campus to begin with,” said Angelo.  “You’re walking between snow and a big 18-wheeler truck.  I’m surprised nobody is dead yet.”

According to the President’s office, the last time Clarion University closed its campus due to snow was Feb. 14, 2007.
This year snow was a little over two feet in Clarion and surrounding areas.

Schools and universities in the Pittsburgh and Philadelphia areas closed as a result of the snow, and many activities and events were canceled, including a blood drive and others in the Clarion area. University sports events were postponed to later dates. Classes at local high schools, including Clarion-Limestone, were canceled.

While some students question the university’s decision to hold classes, others weren’t bothered by it. “It’s nothing I’m not already used to. I think we had one cancellation in all four years of high school,” sophomore Rachel Burbules, of Erie, said, with a shrug.

The question remains – what will it take for Clarion to cancel classes?
“I don’t see them canceling in the near future,” said Angelo.
“They didn’t cancel last week,” Krebs said. “I don’t think they will cancel ever again.”

Even without an official university-wide cancellation, teachers may use their discretion in whether to hold a class or not. Classes will still go on unless a teacher cancels.

“I don’t think a professor would dock you for not going to class,” said Angelo. “It’s a valid excuse if you are stuck in your house and the roads aren’t safe enough for you to drive on them.  They’re going to be sympathetic, even if the school’s not.”

Comments on the Facebook group opposing the lack of school closings keep growing more and more as students disappointment in Clarion’s lack of cancelletions continue.