Media Relations will inform students if cancellation occurs
Classes have not been canceled in over 10 years, but university representatives recommend several suggestions for students curious about the aftermath of inclement weather.
In case of cancellations, Media Relations will contact several media outlets so students can find out about classes by listening to area radio and TV stations such as WEIU. The stations will only air canceled classes, not those still scheduled, said Blair Lord, provost and vice president for academic affairs.
Eastern’s information line, 581-5000, should also have information on canceled events and classes.
Since Eastern is primarily a residential campus with most students walking to class, cancellations are especially uncommon, Lord said.
“Probably, as a general statement, the weather conditions would have to be such that travel to and from campus was seriously hindered and the campus largely impassable,” Lord said.
Staff commuting sometimes cannot make it into academic offices, so students might not be able to find out about cancelations by calling academic departments, he said.
The university president is usually responsible for deciding cancellations, but with night classes offered in surrounding communities, the School of Continuing Education decides for itself. The school’s university Web site suggests students call 1-800-446-8918 if bad weather strikes.
President Hencken said he made the decision the last time classes were canceled in 1990 or 1991, serving as associate vice president for student affairs
Then, snow had turned to ice, Interstate 57 was becoming impassable, the university lost electricity from downed power lines, “and then I thought, ‘We can’t do this,'” Hencken said.
He said universities traditionally do not cancel classes if most students live as close as Eastern’s do. There is concern over students missing time in the classroom, Hencken said.
A Coles Country highway report can be heard by calling 348-7623. The recording also offers advice for motorists and ways to access weather forecasts online by logging onto www.weather.com.
