The University of Waterloo students frequently risk their safety getting to classes when most other academic institutions are closed due to dangerous weather conditions. We, as students, need to make it very clear that we will not stand for leaders who constantly show a blatant disregard for our safety.

We believe it to be quite cruel for the University of Waterloo to remain open when conditions are clearly dangerous, forcing students to make a choice between their safety and their education. It is very unfair that students who live off-campus should have to risk their safety to come into school, just because (I can only assume) the university loses money by closing. It is also unreasonable to expect that students with mobility challenges to deal with campus conditions on days like today. We are so disgusted that the university leaders show such a blatant disregard for student safety.

We want to learn. We REALLY do. But we also want to live to put this education to good use.

Of course, there would be a public outpouring of grief should a student come to harm in these perilous conditions. Just as when one of our students was struck and killed by lightning earlier this year, the leaders would stand in solidarity and sympathy with the bereaved family. And then, just as storm policies remain unchanged and students continue to walk to class in thunderstorms, snow policies would remain unchanged, and the University of Waterloo would remain the sole reckless institution open in critically dangerous conditions.

If the University of Waterloo has any respect whatsoever for the safety of their students, the leaders will meet immediately to reassess the inclement weather policy. A policy that most promotes safety would likely align itself with other universities and secondary school institutions in the area, and follow the lead of other institutions that value the safety of students. We are begging this response from the perspective of students concerned for their own safety, and do not wish upon their parents the heartache of losing a child.