Students who commute ask 'to drive or not to drive?' in inclement weather
For students who commute to Central Michigan University in inclement weather, the timing of a school closing, class delay or cancellation makes all the difference.
Nick Potter, a Sanford sophomore, has a commute of about 30 minutes to campus.
Inclement weather, school closing or no school closing, greatly impacts his decision to attend class. Potter said he believes there are instances when the university should consider canceling or delaying classes sooner than later.
"There have been days I've skipped school to avoid driving and getting into an accident,” Potter said. "Considering how many people do drive to campus, CMU should consider canceling or delaying classes when there's ice or low visibility, not just snow."
According to the university policy for closing and delaying classes, a decision is supposed to be made no later than 6 a.m. – university officials try to make this decision as close to 6 a.m. as possible.
If a decision to close campus, delay or cancel classes is made, university officials will notify both University President George Ross and Steve Smith, director of Public Relations.
Conversely, Morgan Stevens, a Bay City junior, also commutes to campus regularly and has never missed a class due to bad weather.
"If I know the weather is going to be bad, I usually just stay with a friend on campus,” Stevens said.
Stevens said the university has done a good job so far when deciding to cancel or delay classes, or to keep the doors open.
