By Kaliyah Green
When Mother Nature throws a snowy tantrum, upstate colleges should put a pause button to keep everyone safe and tucked inside their beds, turning potential ice disasters into cozy study days.
Given the harsh winters that affect the North Country, heavy snowfall and icy conditions can significantly impact students, faculty and staff. Implementing more snow days not only ensures safety, but also promotes a better learning environment by minimizing disruptions and fostering student well-being.
The primary reason for implementing snow days is safety. Heavy snowfall and icy roads create hazardous driving conditions, increasing the risk of accidents. Off campus students are particularly vulnerable to traveling long distances to reach campus.
By having a snow day, colleges can prevent potential accidents and injuries, ensuring that everyone remains safe. A recent accident in Plattsburgh that involved a car crashing into a coach bus during a snowstorm illustrates exactly how dangerous conditions can become.
Just a few weeks ago, Plattsburgh experienced a snowstorm and snow piled overnight. The snow isn’t adequately shoveled for students and faculty to walk safely. The lack of proper shoveling can also cause walkways to freeze over. The campus did receive a delay during that snow storm, cancelling morning classes. However, walking and travel conditions were still hazardous.
Safety Concerns
Many colleges and universities emphasize that students are responsible for attending classes regardless of weather conditions. Unlike primary and secondary schools, colleges rarely close unless conditions are extreme, as maintaining normal operations prevents scheduling disruptions and missed coursework.
Another crucial factor is that snow days promote fairness in education. Many students do not have the same resources to handle severe weather conditions. Many lack proper winter gear, while others may live far from campus with no safe or reliable transportation options or could have a physical disability. Students who cannot physically attend class due to the weather may fall behind, especially if attendance policies are strict.
“It’s actually pretty unsafe,” off-campus student Brenda Gabriel said. “I’ve had to walk on the street while cars pass me in the middle of a snowstorm, and I feared somebody not seeing me. I hate that to live off campus; you have to have a source of mobility. It’s just inconvenient.”
Additionally, colleges have tight academic schedules without built-in makeup days, making cancellations more complicated. In some conditions not all students have the capability to shift seamlessly to remote learning. Colleges that choose to continue classes online during bad weather must consider that some students may have power outages or weak internet connections.
These factors create an unfair academic environment where students who are more privileged in terms of resources have an advantage over those who struggle with winter-related challenges. A more liberal use of snow days would ensure that students have an equal opportunity to succeed.
Well-being
Beyond safety concerns, snow days contribute to the overall well-being of students. College life is demanding, with heavy academic workloads, exams and personal responsibilities. Unexpected breaks due to snow days give students a chance to rest, reducing stress and preventing burnout. This is really important because during the winter months, seasonal depression is common due to shorter daylight hours and cold weather.
According to Verywell Health, seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression that occurs during the fall and winter months due to reduced daylight, affecting up to 3% of the general population.
Furthermore, walking to class in extreme cold can be physically exhausting and even dangerous in cases of frostbite or hypothermia. Allowing students to have a snow day would give students the opportunity to reset and remain safe and comfortable indoors.
While colleges prioritize maintaining academic standards, they should also recognize the importance of student safety and well-being. Implementing more snow days would help prevent accidents and provide fair access to education.
