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Students affected by adverse weather policy |
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Thursday, 25 January 2007 |
by HEATHER SANDERS
News Reporter
If the weather outside is frightful, Appalachian State University’s classes probably won’t be cancelled.
In fact, according to Appalachian’s News Bureau, an entire day of classes was cancelled only five times in the past 10 years.
 Active Image | File Photo
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In addition, morning classes were cancelled five times, and afternoon
and evening classes were cancelled once in the past decade.
Director of University News Jane Nicholson said the decision to cancel
classes comes from the chancellor after University Police monitor the
weather conditions on campus.
If the AppalCART is not running or is on a delayed schedule, the
chancellor also takes that into consideration for canceling class.
According to the adverse-weather policy, the university will announce a
cancellation by 6:30 a.m. These announcements are placed on
Appalachian’s home page, on AppalNET and on local television and radio
stations, including WASU 90.5 and WCNC on Charter Communication’s
channel six.
Students can also call 262-SNOW to find out about cancellations.
“Students, faculty and staff really need to familiarize themselves with the policy,” Nicholson said.
She said students should also make sure to have a battery-powered radio to find out about cancellations if the power is out.
 Active Image | File Photo
Sophomore William A. Guenther, an industrial technology major, wipes out on what students are calling “suicide hill” behind the Broyhill Music Center after a snow storm last year.
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“People from the Raleigh or Charlotte areas that have been hit with ice
storms may be used to their parents using the radio,” Nicholson said.
“But students really need to make it part of their emergency weather
kit.”
However, some students and faculty may still feel the roads are not
safe enough to come to campus, even when classes are not cancelled.
Dr. David P. Haney, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs,
said students can work with their professor to make up exams or
assignments.
“We encourage faculty to be understanding on weather and safety issues,” Haney said.
Appalachian has no official policy for weather-related absences.
However, he said there has to be limits for these absences. A student
who lives in East Residence Hall is not the same as a student who lives
in Wilkesboro, he said.
Sue K. Hisle, who works in the Instructional Materials Center of Belk
Library and Information Commons, lives on the other side of the Blue
Ridge Parkway in Deep Gap.
Hisle said the weather is sometimes so bad in Boone that she is unable to come into work.
“I turned around one day and went back home,” she said.
However, it means Hisle may have to take an adverse-weather day, which she is required to make up within a year.
Hisle said she often just takes a vacation day because it is difficult
to make up time when she can’t work over 40 hours per week.
Like many professors, Dr. Wendy L. Winn, an associate professional
writing professor, said she might not be able to come to class because
of where she lives, even if classes are not cancelled. Though she
hasn’t had the problem yet, she said she uses a colleague’s policy and
will E-mail her students in such a case.
Haney said faculty has to notify both students and their department chair if they are unable to come to class.
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