The Tripod

As the sleet continues to pelt my office window, I realize that my SUV is the only vehicle in the parking lot of the office complex where I work. My home is fairly close to my office, so I opted to make the drive. My employer and staff are working from home. The offices around our firm have either opted for the same choice or have simply closed for the day. As I told one of the CPAs I manage, "I would rather have you dial in and work from home or lose a day of productivity than risk your health by forcing you to try to reach the office from Cheshire."

That is a common sense decision. Why would I risk the health and well-being of an employee over one day? What I don't understand is why Trinity College can't seem to make the same common sense determination. I realize that as an IDP student, I am in the minority as a commuter student. However, faculty, administrators, secretaries, and other personnel have some degree of a commute. They are placed at risk, as are commuter students.

The decision to cancel class is left to the faculty. If your teacher lives a short drive from campus, most likely class will be held. The majority of traditional students simply put on North Face gear and trek across campus to their respective classrooms. Not so for the commuter students, who may have long journeys to make. The decision to miss class is difficult. Attendance policies are often strict and missed classes result in reductions to a students' grades. One of my classes specifically states that missing more than one class will result in a reduction of a student's grade by one-third. The choice is to risk an accident and save that one missed class allowance for an emergency or severe illness or to use it and then perhaps be forced to take a worse risk if the next storm is more severe.

Last week was not just snowy, it was icy. It doesn't matter if you have four-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, snow tires, or even studded snow tires. Travel is treacherous in icy conditions. If you don't believe me, ask the state police how many accidents have been reported.

What will it take to make Trinity College actually be proactive instead of reactive? The death or severe injury of a commuter student, faculty, or other staff member encountering icy road conditions while attempting the drive to campus? For once, may we please exercise a common sense, proactive option? Just close the school for the day.

No one needs to report except essential personnel. Let the roads get cleared and re-open Trinity College the next day. Everyone will be safe and no one will be sorry.

Article Tools