It’s sunny and 90 degrees today, but I am thinking about the decision that gives everyone a headache—whether or not to cancel classes due to severe weather. You know I come from Iowa, and have lived in the Frozen Tundra, so the chance of me calling a snow day is slim (it’s probably snowing in Green Bay as we speak). However, I do recognize challenges and social justice issues related to that decision.
Changes in policy prior to my arrival allowed staff members to take a snow day when necessary, without taking a personal or vacation day. That doesn’t help faculty, particularly those who live at a distance or those with children under the age of 12-ish for whom schools are canceled. I spoke with Chris Gill, CITO, to ask how we might address this issue. He indicates that a product we currently license—the suite of Microsoft something or others (can you tell how well I understand technology)—that will allow a faculty member to hold class at a distance with no additional charge. Albeit not a perfect solution, it could help for a day here or there. It has the capability to allow lecture delivery, with handouts, PowerPoint slides, and chat questions. I’ve been told it’s easy to use, but will require testing and preparation ahead of an actual snow day. If you are a faculty member for whom this would be helpful on a snow day, and would like additional information, please send me an email. If you are willing to pilot test the process—it will take one or two faculty members to try it out (ITS will provide students to do the testing)—please also indicate that in your email. I hope the start to your academic year has gone well.
—Sue Mattison, Provost
