<span style=

“font-size: 14pt;”>As record-high blankets of snowfall fell in

torrents across Alabama last week, many UNA students made snow

angels, had snowball fights, and enjoyed snow cream from home or

the university dorms.

<span style=

“font-size: 14pt;”>But for some students who commute back and forth

to campus, the excitement generated from the snowfall dwindled when

UNA officials proceeded to reopen campus Wednesday despite

hazardous road conditions due to ice and snow in parts of North

Alabama.

<span style=

“font-size: 14pt;”>Throngs of students and parents flocked to the

UNA Facebook page and contacted university administration to

protest the school’s decision to reopen campus for students who

could make it safely, while giving amnesty to those who

couldn’t.

<span style=

“font-size: 14pt;”>UNA student Christie Harmon was among those who

visited the Facebook page to voice their concerns about reopening

the university.

<span style=

“font-size: 14pt;”>“I feel that that the students were trying to

emphasize the point that it wasn’t the act of going to class that

was upsetting, but the lack of concern for the winter weather

advisories that warned against unnecessary driving,” she said.

“Hazardous road conditions, lack of adequate resources and

provision methods do not mix well with the inexperience most

drivers in this area have with such conditions.”

<span style=

“font-size: 14pt;”>Kristen Flannagan, a UNA student who lives

outside the Florence city limits and was unable to leave her house

for days following the initial snowfall, made the decision to skip

the first day of classes last week.

<span style=

“font-size: 14pt;”>“Not everyone lives within city limits where

they salt, sand and scrape the roads. Though the roads in Florence

may seem okay, this is not the case for a large percentage of UNA’s

commuters,” she said. “We shouldn’t have to make the choice between

staying safe or coming to class. They should be

synonymous.”

<span style=

“font-size: 14pt;”>While UNA stuck with its decision to open doors

on Wednesday despite opposition from students, the grounds crew

worked to maintain the campus parking lots and sidewalks to keep

students and faculty safe, according to Josh Woods, director of

University Communications.

<span style=

“font-size: 14pt;”>UNA police Chief Bob Pastula said no car

accidents involving commuters were reported last week, but one UNA

student did sprain her arm and break her computer after falling on

a patch of ice behind the GUC Jan. 13. Another student broke her

leg Jan. 11 after a sledding accident near campus took

place.

<span style=

“font-size: 14pt;”>Student Jonathan Anderson had no issue with the

university reopening for classes once he saw the road and campus

conditions first hand.

<span style=

“font-size: 14pt;”>”The roads were fine if you took your time and

used the inside lane,” he said. “I thought some of the paths on

campus could have been wider for two-way walking traffic, but in my

experience everything was fine as long as you used common sense. In

some places, walking through the snow proved to provide more

traction and stability.”

<span style=

“font-size: 14pt;”>Last week, Pastula monitored the surrounding

roads, highways, and streets and kept in contact with the National

Weather Service in Huntsville before giving his recommendation to

President Cale, who made the final decision about reopening

campus.

<span style=

“font-size: 14pt;”>“Students have definitely voiced their concerns

with the decision to reopen on Wednesday,” Woods said. “The

university has made the students’ safety a top priority and we have

emphasized to students who can make it safely to do so. For anyone

who feels they can’t make it out here safely, do not

come.”

<span style=

“font-size: 14pt;”>Woods said UNA faculty and staff were instructed

to pardon all absences last week for students who were unable to

safely commute to class due to weather conditions. Students who

receive federal financial aid or scholarships will also not be

penalized for missing classes.

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