Today, February 02, 2015, hundreds of students took to social media networks such as Facebook and Twitter to express their concern over the fact that York University decided to stay open on the worst snow storm yet. Most cars were covered in snow, most buses were cancelled, including York's very own shuttle buses. York is a commuter school, and it is known for such status, yet showed complete disregard towards its student's safety today. As we know, it is midterm season and many students were forced to go to school in dangerous weather conditions.

How are students expected to go to class if buses have been cancelled? How are students expected to make their way to school if they live over an hour away on a good day? Walk? What really struck me was the fact that York doesn't even shovel its side walks or accommodate its students in anyway possible, and instead cancels its own shuttle buses. What about the students who rely on such services to get to class?

Even for those who drive, the danger remains the same! There were over 150 crashes reported today alone, before 11 a.m., and students were still expected to make it to school. Also, York does not shovel its outside parking lots which creates limited space and results in students parking wherever they find space, getting fined and having their cars towed around. Is it not unsafe to drive and walk around a snowy campus?

I feel as students, we need to take a stand and speak up, since York has been doing this for years (by this I mean keeping school open even in horrible and dangerous weather conditions).

Why are students forced to attend school and choose between their safety and education/grades on such a dangerous day? What are weather policies at universities for if not used for such days?

I ask all of you to sign this petition so the university takes us seriously, attend to its student's needs and take into consideration their safety.

While York is continiously worried about dropping enrollment rates and undergraduate students tranferring to different universities, they don't even consider such systemic issues and choices on part of administration that divert potential students from York and drive away current students.

Everyone was outraged by this issue, which I believe brings down York's reputation and makes students think twice about continuing their studies at york, which ESPECIALLY gives a bad image to FUTURE students and affects their decision making when it comes to choosing a university.

Let us all put an end to this, and let us all speak up for what is right, and call out York for the danger it continues to put its students through.