Students on campus have begun to prepare for their total solar eclipse plans on April 8, as the university canceled classes for that day.
In an email to the community, Melody Tankersley, senior vice president and provost, announced “the university will be canceling in-person classes on April 8th because of the total solar eclipse with the expectation of online class still occurring.”
After finding out about the in-person class cancellation, freshman nursing major Alysse Teeter said they were surprised by the cancellation.
“I was very, very surprised. I had never…nothing like that ever happened in high school,” Teeter said. “You never really hear about things happening like that so I was surprised but not upset… I was quite happy.”
Addy Natko, a junior environmental studies major, said she was at first uncertain about the class cancellation, but she is now looking forward to watching the eclipse with her eclipse glasses.
“I guess I was excited I get the chance to see [the eclipse],” Natko said. “I mean, I didn’t know if I would be in classes at that point or not. Being able to see a once in a lifetime thing is cool”
Others like freshmen public health Victory Samuel said she felt mixed feelings about classes being canceled.
“I’m fifty percent happy that classes are being canceled, so I can watch the eclipse,” Samuel said. “Then fifty percent not happy because my biology teacher is the best. I love attending his lectures.”
For Samuels, who said she enjoys attending her biology class, there may be a chance she has class, as instructors of in-person classes do have the option to have their classes meet remotely, Tankersley said in the email.
Senior psychology major Sam Clark said one of their professors had already intended for the class to not meet during the eclipse.
“At the very beginning of the semester, my professor was like, ‘Oh no, we’re canceling class that day, so you don’t have to worry about it,’ and I was like, ‘Yes!,’” Clark said.
Clark said at the moment, they are not entirely certain about their eclipse plans, but they intend to spend it with some friends.
“I was thinking about being here on campus, but I know it’s going to be crazy because we have so much open sky compared to the rest of Kent’s skyline,” Clark said. “So, I was thinking about being here, but it’s probably going to be me and a friend or two, nothing huge.”
Like Clark, Teeter said they intend upon watching the eclipse as the cancellation of classes has freed up their time.
“Since I have the free time and now that I’m actually made aware of the eclipse, I’ll probably watch it,” Teeter said. “I think it sounds pretty cool.”
Regardless of the cancellation of classes, Clark said they are excited to experience a total solar eclipse for the first time.
“I’m super excited to just get to witness it because we haven’t had a total eclipse like this since probably ever for me because I haven’t lived around here,” Clark said. “I’ve always just kind of missed the eclipse so I’m super excited.”
Adriana Gasiewski is a beat reporter. Contact her at [email protected].
