By Mackenzie Prince 

The University of Maryland announced the night before that its College Park campus would close on Feb. 12 due to inclement weather. All classes were canceled, and only weather-essential employees, such as dining hall staff, were required to report. 

However, some students, like freshman biology major Sydney Zimmerman, were still encouraged to participate in online instruction via Zoom. 

“My chemistry teacher said that we were going to have class on Zoom at 10 a.m. because ‘there’s just too much material,’” Zimmerman said.  

While most online classes were not deemed mandatory, students grew confused about whether all classes were truly canceled.

In a Feb. 10 letter to instructors, Jennifer King Rice, the senior vice president and provost of the university, assured all classes scheduled while the university was closed were canceled. However, she added: “While classes scheduled during closures or delays will not meet, instructors have the option to offer asynchronous instruction to maintain continuity of learning.”

Rice also wrote that instructors must adapt to difficulties experienced by students during asynchronous instruction, such as trouble accessing Wi-Fi or electricity. 

The university’s Office of Marketing and Communications declined to comment further. 

Zimmerman was thankful to continue her studies virtually. 

“Everyone always talks about how organic chemistry is really difficult, so I understand why we still had class,” Zimmerman said. 

Throughout the “snow day,” other students expressed frustration by posting on the anonymous social media platform Yik Yak. Antonia Gonzalez, a sophomore animal science major, echoed her peers’ remarks. 

“It definitely depends on the student, but personally, having to attend Zoom on a snow day is stupid,” Gonzalez said. “It potentially stresses students out more when they could be getting time to rest.” 

Gonzalez said it can be helpful for students who struggle to have breaks between material. 

While education is a top priority among students, many look to snow days as an opportunity to “be a kid again,” said Monelli Hadaegh, a freshman journalism major. 

“We should just be able to make the best of the situation and go play in the snow,” Hadaegh said. “Snow is one of those things where it’s still fun, no matter what age.”

Featured image: University of Maryland student Monelli Hadaegh completes homework on her computer. Photo by Mackenzie Prince.