When winter weather sets in and roads get bad, students of all ages cross their fingers in hopes of a snow day. But students at the University of Minnesota know they’ll probably have to tough it out.
Monday’s snow led to dozens of weather-related school closings across the state. Not surprising to most, however, the University stayed open.
“We live in Minnesota,” said Robin Kinblom, a University senior studying economics. “It should be expected.”
The University has canceled regular classes only twice in the past 20 years, said University spokesman Dan Wolter, and in one of those cases, classes weren’t canceled until 2 p.m. The last time the University closed was in March 2007.
Ridgewater College closed Monday afternoon because of the snow — a decision left up to the discretion of the president of each individual school within the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, said Melinda Voss, MnSCU public relations director.
“There is no policy that says, ‘If X, Y and Z occur, we will cancel classes,’ ” said Sam Bowen, public relations director at Ridgewater.
At the University, the decision is made by Provost Tom Sullivan based on consultation with Vice President of University Services Kathleen O’Brien, Wolter said.
But while the University of Minnesota is located in a metropolitan area, Ridgewater’s rural locations in Willmar, Minn., and Hutchinson, Minn., make “a significant difference” when considering transportation hazards, Bowen said.
“We’re a community college,” he said. “Our students travel here whether it’s from down the block or three counties away.”
Two-thirds of University faculty, staff and students get to campus by means other than driving themselves, Wolter said, making the decision very dependent on the city transportation services.
Wolter said that although canceling University classes for the current snowstorm has been discussed, he would classify it as “unlikely” given the school’s record.
“We’re monitoring the situation,” Wolter said.