By Kayla Rogers and Elke Coenders
Kayla Rogers: Centre Shifts to Remote Learning “Snow Day”
“School is not worth risking your life for,” my mother said Saturday morning as I debated whether to drive from Frankfort to Danville. For me, I reluctantly decided not to risk the icy, snow-coated roads, though it made me anxious to miss the first day of class. However, the email announcement from Dean Ellen Goldey that Centre would be moving to Plan C and classes would be held on Zoom on Monday, January 6 provided a sense of relief and reinforced the school’s care for student safety.
This is an incredibly historic shift as it is the first time Centre has gone to remote learning since the COVID-19 pandemic. The move demonstrates flexibility and an understanding of the challenges posed by severe weather. My CentreTerm professor had already communicated over the weekend that he’d consider remote or delayed options based on Monday’s conditions, which added a level of reassurance. But seeing the institution as a whole take this step is significant.
Kentucky and the midwest have faced extreme winter weather since Sunday morning. Governor Andy Beshear warned Kentuckians against travelling, and the Winter Storm Warning stayed in effect until 7 p.m. yesterday. Centre’s campus is blanketed in inches of snow and ice.
The weather has created hurdles for many students. On Thursday, the Director of Residence Life, Jess Sweitzer, sent an email notifying students that they could return to campus early if needed due to the storm. Some students adjusted their travel plans and arrived ahead of schedule, but for many others—myself included—that wasn’t possible. My heart goes out to students whose flights into Louisville or Lexington were derailed; rebooking amidst this storm is undoubtedly a challenge. Hopefully this change gave you all some relief.
Centre is an institution known for its rigorous academics and staunch tradition of never cancelling class, so the choice to hold virtual classes marks a notable shift, reflecting both a willingness to adapt for student, staff, and faculty safety and an ability to use technology to ensure safety without compromising education.
Elke Coenders: Tips to Stay Safe and Warm in CentreTerm
As we embark upon our frosty CentreTerm, we’ll leave you with a few tips to stay safe and warm this month.
- Bundle up outside with a warm coat, a scarf, a hat, thick socks, and high-traction shoes. Resist the temptation to wear shorts in the snow.
- Walk, don’t run. While it’s only natural to sprint if you’re late to class, slipping on ice is more embarrassing than being tardy.
- Keep your dorm stocked with essentials like non-perishable food, water, flashlights, batteries, a first aid kit, important medications, and hygiene supplies. Think: what would you put in your zombie apocalypse bunker?
- Make sure your phone, laptop, and power banks are charged. Some Centre facilities tend to lose power during storms. It’s a good idea to back up your assignments and other important documents, too.
- Only drive if you need to. Avoid unsafe road conditions. Keep an ice scraper, a snow brush, a flashlight and batteries, jumper cables, a shovel, and traction aids in your car.
- Stay warm inside. Centre’s heating systems can be very effective. If they’re ever not, you can use blankets, make hot tea, and close the blinds or curtains to retain heat. Alcohol does indeed create a sensation of warmth but it actually lowers your core body temperature, so keep that in mind when embarking on certain challenges or not-so-dry Januaries.
- Appreciate the beauty of a Kentucky winter. Admire the icy tree branches, follow the footprints through the snow, and listen to the crisp silence of winter. Enjoy!