It was utterly irresponsible of the University to maintain its regular schedule on Thursday. Apparently, the administration is either unaware that not all of its students live within a two-block radius of campus or simply unconcerned with their safety. I live at the top of Chambers and awoke to four inches of snow on the ground and two inches of mixed snow and ice on the roadways. KLCC reported that ODOT was urging everyone to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary, yet the University was not even on a delay.
LTD was operating on a very limited snow route, meaning that my nearest operating stop was 1.5 miles down a steep and icy hill. Biking was completely out of the question. I fortunately had access to a vehicle that morning, but even then my car slid unnervingly on the road and was unable to come to a complete stop at several points. Had I done the wise thing and stayed home, this would have counted as an unexcused absence for two of my classes (and for the cynical, yes, I did my homework).
I hope the University will review its snow delay and cancellation policies and in the future act accordingly when ODOT urges everyone to stay off the roads and LTD buses are operating on snow route detours. If even one student, professor or employee were involved in an accident in an attempt to make it to campus, the University should accept its responsibility in the matter.
Travis D. Roderick
University student