NMU Closes Again Due to “Inclement” Weather, Really?
Jan 16, 2009 | Leave a comment
Photo courtesy of Blondie Yooper
So it’s been a few cold days in the Upper Peninsula, the coldest of the winter so far. But I was shocked to find out that NMU wasn’t only closed yesterday, but that they’re closed again today!
So here I am in Marquette (yes, I know I’m inside where it’s nice and warm, I even have brand new windows to help out a bit), and as I look outside from my desk it’s absolutely beautiful out. The sun is bright, and the sky is clear.
What’s the problem I have with this, you ask? According to NMU’s website,
“NMU is closed for Friday, January 16, due to inclement weather.”
– nmu.edu
Really, this is inclement weather? Perhaps I was always under the impression that inclement meant stormy. Let’s have a look…
According to Answers.com inclement means:
1. Stormy: inclement weather.
2. Showing no clemency; unmerciful.
According to Webster’s
1. Archaic : severe in temper or action : unmerciful
2. Physically severe : stormy
Inclement weather? I think not.
According to TV6 right now it is about 1 degree right now with a wind chill of -14 degrees. Alright, that’s a bit balmy, no doubt.
I understand closing elementary schools for temperatures that get into the negative double digits. But for a college campus? Surely college students should know how to dress properly by now and of course anyone should if they’re from the Upper Peninsula. Weeks like this is what makes the Upper Peninsula what it is.
I’ll be going outside in a few minutes myself to do my errands. I’ll be putting on an extra pair of socks, some thermals, and I’ll be good to go.
It’s not often I make rant’s here on Yooper Steez, but I was inspired last night after my roommate told me NMU was closed and we both agreed that it was ridiculous.
What’s your take on the cold weather and school closings? Please comment below.
Take a look at the poll results.
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Jan 16, 2009
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I think the public schools should have a relatively wimpy policy when it comes to severely cold weather. You wouldn’t believe the kids that come to the elementary schools without good warm clothing, some wearing only a t-shirt under a simple winter jacket, or claiming they only have one mitten or couldn’t find their boots or don’t own a hat. It’s downright dangerous to send them to the bus stop like that. It’s sad but also true.
As for the university, yeah, I’m a bit surprised. NMU’s campus isn’t that big, but I sure am glad I’m not hiking across it this week!
Jan 16, 2009
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Wimps. Tech would definitely still be in business. Typical though.
Jan 16, 2009
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I just don’t think its safe when it gets that cold. Sometimes no matter how many layers you put on its just not enough. Esp having to walk across a campus, no thank you!
Jan 16, 2009
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So, at Michigan Tech the University is only closed when the wind chill gets to -40 or lower. Yeah. So when all the NMU students were warm in their beds when it was -14, I was trudging through the arctic that is the college campus of MTU wearing my thermal gloves, long underware, my uggs, my ridiculous looking winter chook, and my winter jacket. And guess what? I’m still alive. Imagine….
I’m with ya, Bugsy!
Jan 16, 2009
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Hey,
Where I live, this is the remark made by our “stupid” Superintendent the other day. Oh, you mean I can close school when weather is bad even when we have exams?
Like duh?
Yes, school should be closed. Too many parents where I live do not bother to get their children dressed properly in the AM. It is unbelievable, but true. No mittens, hats, boots or even snow pants. Walking any distance to the bus stop and waiting is NO PICNIC for these little ones.
Never heard of snow days at NMU from 59 to 63.
Go Bugsy go!
Jan 17, 2009
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I totally agree. Why should college campus close for days ls like that. I am from the Sault and experienced colder weather like that even when i was little. I am now at Central Michigan University and our weather was just as cold with the wind chill. We still had classes. I just went out in layers. Its not even the layers, Just making sure your skin has at least 1 layer like a hat or scarf or hoody. I agree the elementry should close. Most little kids just throw a jacket and gloves on and go out. Most of the time they will not come in early enough prior to early stages of frost bite.
Jan 17, 2009
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Just goes to show what kind of people they have at NMU. MTU didn’t close!! If I’m correct, Tech has only closed 3 times in it’s entire history. The first one of which I was a lucky recipient in ’71. I couldn’t get back to my rental for 3 days, that was when the big snow blower opened the road.
AD
Jan 17, 2009
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Kids turn into popsicles in weather like this! Cars don’t start! Stuff gets nuts. I think it’s colder when there aren’t clouds to keep the warmth in.
Jan 18, 2009
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Nancy,
I wish that was true (and lots of people think it is), but the official count at Tech is something like 10 or 11 since the 1960s. There was a snow day last year and one the year before. Still better than the three Northern had last year alone! Here’s a discussion:
http://www.alumni.mtu.edu/techalum/snowclosure.htm
On the other hand, U of M has not closed due to weather since 1978!
Jan 20, 2009
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“Just goes to show what kind of people they have at NMU.”
Please don’t judge the whole university by the decisions of a few people. I wanted classes that day, and I was greatly disappointed that they were willing to waste my money and time.
Jan 30, 2009
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I was at MTU for three years, and in that time we never had an “inclement” weather day, or any other cancelation. I remember (maybe in winter 04 or 05) they canceled Broomball for a couple nights becasue the windchill was approaching negative 30…and we were bummed. Never canceled classes.
Feb 1, 2009
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Although I’m not a Tech or Nmu student I’ve spent many a snow carnival at Tech and walking through the campus wind tunnel. It was bone chilling.Tech students come from a hearty stock or will become one after a couple of winters. As for NMU, here would be a great solution for not closing down for sub zero weather. Get a government grant to study the effects.
mortimer
Feb 1, 2009
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In the years while I was at Tech, I remember regularly trudging to and from class on days when the temperature *without* windchill was about -20°F. Here in Minnesota, our local schools don’t even close unless it’s that cold, and even at that it’s usually just a couple hour delay for things to warm a little bit.
Feb 2, 2009
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MTU does not close. On days when the other area schools close MTU has an “up to you day”. If you get to class great, if not it is not counted against you. Some professors will tell you at the start, if other schools are having a weather day don’t show up because they wont be there.
Mar 1, 2009
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We have 3-7 inches of snow forecast. Schools, churches, community events, businesses all are cancelling. There are shortages of soup, bread, milk, and toilet paper in the grocery stores. The life of an expatriate yooper in central North Carolina.
Jan 1, 2010
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Sometimes it has nothing to do with the precipitation. With enough wind, the lake washes over the highway, turning it to ice. Not everyone lives on campus obviously, so they close it down to accommodate the massive amounts of other NMU kids who aren’t lucky like me to live right up the street. Also, they learned a lesson a few years back when it got down to -50 with the wind chill and student cars couldn’t start. We had mobs of people waiting in the LRC for Public Safety to jumpstart their cars – there was actually a waiting list. When it’s that cold, it’s more about off-campus students, not on-campus students.
Feb 14, 2010
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I live in Alaska now but went to school at Suomi College now called Finlandia Univ. We don’t close our schools here for -30 though recess is inside for school age children. When I went to school back at Suomi I don’t remember it ever closing for bad weather. Come on NMU suck it up -1 is light jacket weather to us Alaskans
Apr 17, 2011
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I was at MTU in the early ’60′s. No one ever considered closing down because it was too cold.
It’s all relative. I remember being in Edmonton on business when it was -30F (actual and in degrees F, not C). Construction work was going on as normal. On the other hand in Texas, they shut down similar projects when if got below freezing!
Put on an extra layer or two, and enjoy the unique experience!!