Texas Tech University was hit with a torrent of snow this week, sending students scrambling in an effort to cope with the unfavorable conditions.
English Building. Photo by Nicole Molter
Ana Navarette, a senior environment and humanities major from Houston, said the weather affects not just her driving but also her mood and schoolwork.
“It definitely has affected my body,” Navarette said, “and my schoolwork; I can’t handle it. I get cold very easily, so making the hike to class when it’s snowing is especially difficult just because I am not used to it at all. And, I do have to drive sometimes, so that is especially dangerous. It also affects your mood, it being so cold. You just don’t want to move.”
Navarette, a former at-large senator within the Student Government Association, said she knows many students talk about the cold weather and how it affects their safety.
“I know a lot of students complain that they have to come to class in such conditions, and it is something that we would like to have a bit of a say in, but ultimately it’s not up to SGA.”
Ronald Phillips, university counsel to the president of Tech, said he works with the administration, consulting on legal issues as well as advising the president on emergency situations, including weather.
“As weather is approaching,” Phillips said, “we are monitoring and gathering information. Through our police department, we gather information through other jurisdictions.”
Todd Chambers, Ph.D., the interim associate dean for undergraduate affairs in the College of Media & Communication, said he likes the improvements that have happened when it comes to snow days.
“From the notification perspective,” Chambers said, “to the physical plant employees going out and using blowers to blow snow off the sidewalks, little things like that, those things have improved. I think that they have really been able to advance the campus in a lot of different ways. I think in general access in and out of campus is a lot better.”
Chambers said the primary concern is the safety of students, and the biggest issue on campus is drainage.
“I’ve seen snow days where it snows in the morning, and then you get a thunderstorm in the afternoon, like in March; I’ve seen those situations. So, I think drainage is still an issue on campus. Sometimes I’ve seen that pop up, though that’s rare.”
Students bundled up as freezing temperatures hit Lubbock. Photo by Nicole Molter.
According to the Tech OP 10.03: Suspending Classes and Closing Offices in Severe Weather or Energy Curtailment Emergency Situations, the process begins when weather is approaching and the senior police officer on duty notifies the chief of police for Tech.
According to OP 10.03, the chief of police then notifies the university counsel, and recommendations are then made to the president. The president will make the final decision after consulting with the chancellor.
Chambers said TechAlert, the emergency notification system, is highly efficient in getting word out to students about class delays.
“You just think about how efficient that is. At 6 o’clock you get a call on your landline or you cellphone or an email. That is a very efficient system and a very efficient way to notify people of different things. I definitely don’t speak for all faculty members, but I know I have the same thoughts as a lot of people: ‘oh I hope the phone rings. I hope there is a delay.’ I probably have different reasons for that. My reasons are that I have a couple extra hours to get some things done.”
Phillips said Tech police officers come onto campus and drive the streets to see if they are safe.
“But, we would also look at the streets adjacent to campus,” Phillips said, “and then communicate with LPD and some of these other folks to see what the roads are like within the city and within the area.”
Phillips said President Nellis is the person who ultimately makes the final decision about canceling or delaying classes after all information and recommendations have been brought forth.
“It’s a real balancing test,” Phillips said, “We always look first to the safety and welfare of our students, faculty and staff, but we are not always going to cancel classes when it snows. We would certainly do so if we felt that it created a dangerous situation for the community.”
How Students Can Be Prepared for Severe Weather:
- Look ahead to see what the forecast will be
- Leave earlier for class
- Drive slower
- Utilize TechAlert
- TechAlert sends alert to social media, cellphones, even your parents
- Look beyond winter weather, spring brings tornadoes, thunderstorms, and duststorms
About Kaitlin Thogmartin
