A Blizzard of Change: Harvard Pivots to Online Learning Amidst a State of Emergency!
Get ready for a snow day like no other! As a massive blizzard barrels towards New England, many of Harvard's esteemed schools are making a swift transition to online classes. This isn't just a minor inconvenience; it's a significant shift in how education is delivered in the face of severe weather.
The Big Picture: Following Massachusetts Governor Maura T. Healey's declaration of a statewide emergency, Harvard College and a host of other schools are opting to move their classes online starting Monday. This decision, communicated via email to students and affiliates, aims to ensure safety while minimizing disruption to academic progress.
Which Schools Are Going Digital?
- Harvard College and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) are among the first to announce the move.
- The Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard Divinity School, Harvard Law School, Graduate School of Design, Harvard School of Public Health, and Harvard Extension School have all confirmed they will be holding classes virtually.
What About Campus Life?
For undergraduates living on campus, residential dining services are expected to operate as usual, offering a semblance of normalcy. However, GSAS students will have access to limited dining options within the student center.
The Exceptions to the Rule:
While many are adapting, not every school is following the same path. The Harvard School of Dental Medicine and the Harvard Graduate School of Education have taken a more decisive step, canceling all in-person classes and events for Monday. Meanwhile, the Harvard Business School is a notable exception, planning to continue with in-person classes. However, even there, non-essential staff are being instructed to work remotely as a precautionary measure.
Why the Urgency?
The statewide emergency was declared in anticipation of a formidable blizzard expected to bring winds up to 75 miles per hour and a staggering 18 to 25 inches of snow to the Cambridge area. This level of severe weather poses significant risks to travel and daily operations.
A Familiar Pattern?
H নিষ্পired by the decisions of nearby institutions like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Brown University, Harvard's move to online learning reflects a growing trend in higher education to adapt to extreme weather events. It's worth noting that Harvard has historically been quite resilient, with campus closures being a rare occurrence, most significantly during the blizzards of 2013 and 2015.
But here's where it gets controversial...
Interestingly, earlier forecasts of a major snowstorm at the start of the semester did not lead to the FAS and College closing, which, as reported, drew widespread complaints from the student body. This begs the question: is the current decision a proactive safety measure, or a response to the previous outcry?
A Student's Perspective:
Harvard Undergraduate Association co-president Abdullah Shahid Sial ’27, who recently experienced snow for the first time at Harvard, expressed his excitement about the class cancellations. "Having lived in Pakistan my entire life, I’ve never seen snow until pretty much I came to Harvard," he shared. "Now, being in a position where all classes are canceled because of snow, I’m very excited."
What do you think? Should universities always prioritize safety by moving online during severe weather, even if it means disrupting the traditional campus experience? Or is there value in maintaining some in-person operations, even with risks? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
