As the week comes to a close before the Super Bowl, rumors are flying about whether classes will be canceled on Monday following what is sure to be a wild night.
"If we have school, Eagles fans will flood the city regardless of whether the Eagles win or lose, and it will cause a lot of traffic on the roads. I think it would be a wise idea to not have school the next day after the Super Bowl," said Janet Karbbar.
Alas, there will be school.
"I understand and respect students' enthusiasm for supporting their favorite teams throughout the seasons. However, classes will be held on Monday as usual here at Neumann University," said Interim Provost Katie Barnes.
However, some professors are independently cancelling classes.
Chemistry Professor Sarah Burke cancelled class for a special reason.
“I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to attend Super Bowl LVII with my family, and I canceled class because I will be in Arizona!" she said in an email. "I have always been a HUGE Eagles fan. I remember having the pullover Starter jacket from the mid-90s when I was a kid, I remember crying when Rodney Peete hurt his knee against the Cowboys in 1996, I vividly remember the NFC Championship losses in the 2000s and the one NFC Championship victory with subsequent Super Bowl loss to the Patriots.”
Cecelia Schmeltzer, who attends Burke’s organic chemistry class, isn’t too jealous. "I'm glad about it because I won't have to worry about class and I may be able to stay home with my parents that day," she said.
Assistant Professor of English George Asimos will also cancel his class. He sees it like a snow day or one of those “occasional gifts” that can help keep students motivated. Besides, it is a special occasion of local significance.
"Many other universities, in many other parts of the country, get off for random local holidays. I'm thinking of my friends in New Orleans who get off classes (city-wide, by mandate) for Mardi Gras. We don't have that here, of course. And we can't expect that we will get another Super Bowl Day anytime soon (though we might wish for it). So, it seems fair to celebrate a local team's accomplishment by taking a day off. Whatever the outcome of the game, I imagine some recovery, emotional and physical, will be needed," he said.
However, even in these cases, students don’t just get a day off. Alternative instruction and assignments will substitute for meeting in person.
Good luck to everyone in class on Monday whether in person or asynchronous. Go Birds!
