Sebastian Sahlman

On Sunday afternoon, the College declared a weather emergency due to heavy snow expected from the winter storm on Sunday and Monday.

During a weather emergency, the College’s policies allow professors to decide how they manage the possibility of canceling classes based on individual circumstances. In an email to the Orient, Associate Vice President of Safety and Security Bill Harwood detailed this policy.

“As I learned from the Office of the Dean for Academic Affairs, in cases of [a] weather emergency, faculty are in the best position to make decisions about their individual classes,” Harwood wrote. “While we are a residential college and can expect that in most circumstances students will be able to attend classes in person, the ability to reach campus in the snow varies among the faculty.”

Roughly 12 inches of snow fell on Sunday and Monday, creating hazardous driving conditions across Cumberland County. While many faculty continued classes as scheduled, some moved them to Zoom, and others cancelled classes altogether.

On Sunday, Visiting Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Environmental Studies Brandon Tate decided to host his Monday classes via Zoom because he was worried I-295 would not be cleared for his commute. He praised the College’s policy of allowing professors to make their own decisions regarding class cancellations.

“It gives those of us who may not feel comfortable coming to campus, especially because some of us live farther away, a little bit of confidence to make that call without being judged for it,” Tate said.

On the other hand, Professor of Biology and Neuroscience Hadley Horch lives in Brunswick and walks to campus every day, but during snowstorms, she trades walking for skiing or snowshoeing.

“Almost 11 years ago to the day, there was a blizzard, and I went skiing to campus…. I was [wearing] goggles and all bundled up on my way to class,” Horch said.

Horch rarely cancels class. In the past, she has used the Facilities Management break room to hold class, and when power once went out in Druckenmiller Hall, she set up flashlights so students could see the board. Horch also believed that most Bowdoin professors would prioritize getting to class.

“There are a lot of people here who are going to come in no matter what,” Horch said. “Whether they’re near or far, they’re going to be here.”

Professor of English Aaron Kitch, who also lives close to campus, held his Monday class in person. Kitch said he enjoyed the atmosphere the snowy weather created on campus and expressed distaste for holding class over Zoom.

“I like having class when it’s snowy outside. It’s sort of invigorating, and you concentrate. Whereas [when] it’s sunny and everybody’s outside, everyone wants to go outside, and you can’t pay attention. I don’t like that,” Kitch said. “And [Zoom] is an option, but it’s a lesser one. It’s always an option that you regret. It’s never as good.”

While Horch was able to be on campus on Monday, her lab instructor was unable to drive to Bowdoin. However, Horch did not cancel the lab session.

“Canceling one day of the lab is really hard because then the rest of the week is on track, and there’s one group that’s out of whack. So, [when] my lab instructor actually couldn’t make it in…, I taught; we Zoomed her in, but I was there in person to do some of the stuff that we needed to do,” Horch said.

Tate agreed with both Horch and Kitch, saying that while holding class over Zoom is not ideal, having no class is worse.

“For me, canceling a class is always sort of a last resort because I feel like it’s always challenging to cover all the topics that I want to cover throughout the semester and losing that class time would just be a bummer,” Tate said.

The College has not formally cancelled classes due to a snowstorm in at least the past four years, Harwood wrote.

“I cannot recall the College canceling classes for a snowstorm in my short four years here. Others I asked who have been here for decades do not recall classes being cancelled collegewide for a snowstorm,” Harwood wrote.