For the second week in a row, Grambling State University classes have been cancelled due to inclement weather. Today’s classes were suspended, as well as four days last week. The decision on whether school with resume Friday depends on weather conditions overnight.
According to Dr. Janet Guyden, the provost and vice president of academic and student affairs, the present academic calendar has a buffer built-in so that even with the missed days last week, classes will meet the necessary contact hours for course credit. It has not been decided yet, if today’s cancellation will effective the mandatory hours.
“Students are responsible for the content on the syllabus and hopefully made good use of the time to read ahead and prepare for any missed assignments and assessments during the weather break,” said GSU Interim President Cynthia Warrick.
Wednesday nights weather was described as sleet or freezing rain. There was no snow like last week.
On Feb. 25, the snowfall was approximately 2-to-3 inches, according to Kip Franklin, the director of Lincoln Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. He said in the event of inclement weather there are several factors to monitor. The roads must be passable, bridges must be checked for ice and sidewalks must be safe for walking.
While the weather on Feb. 23 and Feb. 24 was what Franklin called an “ice-event” with freezing rain and sleet, he said due to the weather there were motor vehicle accidents and power outages.
While some students took Warrick’s advice, others took a break and hit the hill at Robinson Stadium for sledding.
On social media, students participated in #GramfamSnowDayFollowTrain. The hashtag allowed others to view pictures of GSU students having fun in the snow. Students made snow angels and snow mans and had snow ball fights.
“We enjoyed it,” said Miss GSU, Ginia Smith. “Although we were out of school because of the weather last year, we didn’t get snow like this.”
Smith said the best part of the snow was creating a “mini-me snow woman” accessorized in her crown and slash.
“It was great to see the inner child come out of everyone, on and off campus,” she said.
“These snow days have been everything, I have never seen this much snow,” said Roderick Harris, a sophomore from Bossier City.
“I love the snow,” said Pariz Richards, a junior from New Orleans. “I’m not in love with the with the piles of homework I’m about to get from my professors.”
The announcement on whether school will reopen on Friday is yet to be determined. Students, faculty, staff and others can look for updates on social media by following @TheGramblinite.