Poor decision to hold classes in ice

Despite my efforts to walk cautiously down the steps to the LSRC, I slipped on a step and luckily caught myself and my coffee in time to avoid tragedy. I was lucky. In the span of three hours, I’ve managed to see five people slip on ice on campus today. Thank goodness I have a friend with a four-wheel drive truck, or I likely would have endured one of two fates: 1. Gotten my car stuck on campus, like I managed to accomplish yesterday, or 2. Slipped on ice while walking to campus from my home north of Hillsborough Road. I was flabbergasted when I saw the lack of effort on part of the University to prepare university roads and walkways for safe travel. Roads were fine outside of campus, until we entered the sheet of ice that was LaSalle Street.

I understand that canceling classes puts a huge wrench in the machine that is Duke. But, as a student studying climate change mitigation policies, I propose that Duke consider the precautionary principle. In the face of uncertain, yet possible danger, is it really worth the risk of putting student’s safety in jeopardy? Not to mention, this is also an issue of fairness. It was acknowledged by Vice President for Student Affairs Larry Moneta yesterday that “some may not be able to make it to campus tomorrow.” In that case, is it fair for those unable to travel to miss out on a valuable school day and bear the burden of having to make up a class? Students are then faced with a decision: either put yourself and others at risk, or fall behind academically. Neither seems like a good option. Don’t make students make the choice, Duke administrators. Next time, do what’s best for the safety of those that make Duke the extraordinary institution it is.

Andrea Martin,

Master of Environmental Management ’12