During a week reminiscent of the 2014 Snowpocalypse, Chapel Hill and its university learned many important lessons. Or at least we hope they did.
Difficulties related to exam schedules, student engagement and pedestrian safety were grossly evident last week. The community has every reason to expect a better-prepared town and University in the future.
As students returned to class on Friday, some sat to take scheduled midterm exams despite having been without power on Wednesday and Thursday. To make matters worse, these students had no access to university buildings after they were shuttered from Wednesday night until Friday at 1 p.m.
The disruptive effects of the snow can’t be denied, but professors should take the needs of affected students into account. Perhaps a take-home exam or a rescheduled day would be an appropriate response. Professors should consider facilitating online discussions or activities if class can’t meet.
At the same time, University officials must find a way to make more timely and coordinated decisions about class closures and collaborate more effectively with transit services.
Beginning Feb. 24, Chapel Hill Transit ran limited routes, yet class remained in session. If buses are delayed and sidewalks remain dangerously slick, how can the University expect students to arrive on campus in a timely manner?
