Friday February 9,1996
Page 2
Snow, Ice Poses Hazards for B.C. Students and Faculty
Guest Commentary
i
It all started on Friday evening, about
8:30p.m. People were losing 'power,
drivers were sliding into trees and each
other, and B.C. students ^ were
waiting...and wondering: How long will
it last?
All through the weekend, things got
worse. Sidewalks and roads were iced,
and it was extremely dangerous even to
walk outside. The wind chill factor was
30 below and stayed there. Stijl, they
wondered...
Monday morning came, ^d the
dreaded announcement arrived: classes
would still be held. The students
moaned, complained, and basically slid to
class.
These weather conditions, not to
mention the fact that all surrounding
schools and the majority of businesses
closed, should have indicated that
Brevard College needed to close. Yet its
doors remained wide open.
First of all, the roads were not safe to
be traveled by faculty, staff, and
commuter students. The roads were still
extremely icy and hazardous. One
resident of Ross Hall slid, almost
uncontrollably, down the hill in a car
with front-wheel drive. One commuter
student slid into a tree trying to get to her
class. Many teachers were unable to
come in, so smdents braved the sidewalks
for no reason.
Secondly, the sidewalks were also
rather treacherous. Students slid on icy
patches and steps. The sidewalks had
been neglected, therefore causing several
falls and slips. The sidewalks were
especially hazardous to those students
with previous injuries.
Next, the wind chill factor caused the
temperature to drop even further, which
presented a health hazard for students
who must walk to classes. The rush of
arctic air into one’s lungs reduces the
ability to breathe effectively.
Lastly, the students who went home
or spent the weekend off-campus, were
stuck. They were unable to get back in
time to attend classes, so they missed and
will have an unexcused absence on their
record. When these people do have an
emergency, they will not be able to take
time off from their classes.
hi conclusion, we believe that keeping
the College open was a ludicrous waste of
time and a danger to all involved.
Rhonda L. Parker
Amy A. McDonald
Editor:
Among other concerns, the editorial,
“Facility Hours Unreasonable,” |in the
December 14, 1995 issue of The Clarion,
highlights the need for more library'hours
in the evening and on Saturday. \
At present, the James A. Jones
Library is open 78.5 hours a week,
including Saturday and Sunday.
According to daily library use statistics,
expansion of library hours is 1 not
warranted at this time. In reviewing
statistics for Fall 1995, the average
student count taken of students ini the
library at 10:00 p.m., for the period of
Sunday through Thursday, was 17. |At
that hour, most students are using (he
library for studying rather than checking
out books, using indexes, reserves,
periodicals, reference books, and other
m
library materials. On Saturday afternoon,
the average hourly count showed 6
students in the library, some of which
were local students from the Brevard
area. Expanded library hours are
available at night and on the weekend
during Final Exams.
The library would like to see more
use of library materials and staff to
consider additional hours. Collections,
services, and access to a wealth of
material highlight our primary function,
in addition to a quiet place to study. The
Spring Semester has started out slow for
library use and activity, and it is hoped
that daily use will improve very soon.
At this time, there is no additional
staff available to expand current library
hours. However, I will keep this in mind
for future planning needs, especially in
D'rf You
iC^NOWt
YOUR LUNGS ARE TWO,
SPONeE-LIKE MASSES IN
VOUR CHEST. THEY
FILL WITH AIR AND
EMPTY AS YOU
BREATHE IN ANP
OUT. SOFT AND
FRA6ILE, THEY
ARE WEIL PRO
TECTED INSIDE
THE RIB CAGE.
ALTHOUGH
PARROTS ARE
KNOWN TO
TALK, THEY DO
NOT ACTUALLY
‘TALK" AS WE
DO. THEY SIM
PLY IMITATE
WHAT THEY HEAR.
consideration of additional four-year
programs.
Thank you for bringing this to my
attention.
Sincerely,
Mike McCabe
Library Director
To the Editor:
In response to student requests for
extended weekend computer lab time, in
February, we will begin opening the main
computer lab in MG 219 on Saturday
afternoons between 1:00 and 4:00. The
lab will be open during this time on a
trial basis to determine if Saturday
student usage is sufficient to warrant
continuation of extended hours.
Spring semester evening schedule for
the computer labs in MG 219 and MS
108 is as follows:
MG 219: Sun.-Thurs., from 6:00 to
10:30; and Sat., from 1:00 to 4:00.
MS 108: Sun., 5:30 to 10:30; Mon.,
Tues., and Thurs., 6:30 to 10:30; and
Wed. And Sat., closed.
* Students may use the labs Monday-
Friday, 8:30-4:30PM, while classes are
not in session.
Please remember that academic work
must take precedence over Internet or
other personal or entertainment related
computer activities.
Alyse Hollingsworth
Michelle Choate
Directors of Academic Comnutinp _
The Clarion Executive Staff
Editor
Jon Ostendbrff
I
Asst. Editorsj
Heidi Rodeiibaugh
Erica Broad>vay
Photograhpy 1
Anita Clark j
Typesetting/I >esign Layout
Rhonda L. F
Advisor
Ruhemma IV
Letters to the Editor can be
deposited in the white box on
the wall of the M.G. lobby. Or
they can be deposited in the
Clarion mail box in the book
store
arker
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