Above: A similar polar vortex to this year's also left much of the country a frozen icescape in 2014, as this surreal image of Chicago shows (Credit: Shawn Reynolds/Colossal)
The recent arctic conditions at Cornell have exposed the unequal and unfair parking, public transportation and accommodation systems of this university.
Students had to trudge to class today, despite the National Weather Service urging people in the area to stay indoors due to harsh wind chill conditions plunging temperatures into the negatives. The Ithaca City School District and the Tompkins Cortland Community College cancelled classes out of concern for these conditions, while Ithaca College had a delayed opening.
With parking permits ranging from $350 to $750, Cornell has essentially restricted the use of its parking spaces to the most privileged, elite members of its community. Disregarding students with special needs such as those with disabilities, the first come-first served parking permit system at Cornell is one that benefits those who need it least.
Disadvantaged students, including international students who are denied financial aid, were the worst hit by this arctic vortex. Many of us do not reside in the relatively close confines of Collegetown or West Campus. We live in far-flung locations such as Dryden. President Pollack’s decision to not close the campus is an unfair inconvenience to those fortunate enough to reside in convenient locations. It created a potentially dangerous situation for those who do not have such fortune. Therefore, the administration’s decision was short-sighted, irresponsible and arguably callous.
Despite this ill-conceived decision, TCAT must be applauded for offering free service to students today. Still, this token jesture fails to compensate for TCAT’s infrequent service, frequent tardiness and overcrowding. These are long-term problems which must be addressed. In addition, TCAT stops are uncovered in many stop locations and they cannot be stopped in between stops. These factors make it an untenable choice for many students caught in the polar vortex. While some students are fortunate enough to be able to call an Uber or drive to campus, many are stuck with the difficult decision of whether to skip classes or walk in highly dangerous conditions.
While the decision to not shut down Cornell’s campus is being rightfully panned by most students, it has quite literally placed a few Cornell community members in physical danger. In an unfortunate and horrific example of what can happen in this weather, a student at the University of Iowa froze to death on Wednesday just outside of his dorm room. At least 20 people have died due to this polar vortex gripping the midwest and the north east. We must continue to pressure the Cornell Administration to ensure that all students are able to safely travel on campus, or it must shut down entirely for such extreme weather.
