School's Choice to Remain Open in Winter Weather Ignites Social Media Storm

Montclair State University’s decision to remain open on Thursday in the face of an oncoming snowstorm has created a social media storm of its own on the university’s Facebook page.

As of Friday morning, MSU’s post about remaining open inspired 351 comments, most of them critical.

One student wrote: “My professor cancelled our midterm today and then I lost credit for not being in my second class. Actual points were taken off my grade for staying safe. It takes me an hour on a regular day to get to campus. I wasn’t about to drive for a one hour class. Thank you Montclair for making education DIFFICULT.”

According to a NJ.com report, a spokeswoman for the university issued a statement about the decision:

“On Thursday, the University had approximately 1,000 classes scheduled, as well as many other academic activities. Approximately 5,000 resident students were already here on campus... Mass transit was operational, and highways and access roads in the region were functioning. Campus parking lots and roadways were adequately cleared. Those circumstances formed the basis of the decision to keep the campus open.”

A pop up window that appeared on the university’s home page on Friday stated that the school was open for normal hours.