Bundled up in scarves, hats, gloves and coats, Ball State University students have been trying to stay warm from temperatures dipping below zero the last two days.
Despite the freeze, Tony Proudfoot, associate vice president for marketing and communications, said the university will not close because of cold weather.
Proudfoot said Ball State does not have a policy that confirms whether classes should be interrupted due to dropping temperatures.
"Classes can only be affected only when there is a physical or safety constraint presented on campus," he said. "The school would close if for example heavy snow fell and obstructed the parking lots, causing danger to students or faculty members."
According to historical weather records there has not been a time when the university has had to close due to bad weather, Proudfoot said.
Health Center Director Kent Bullis said the Amelia T. Wood Health Center has not encountered many cold-related health issues such as respiratory diseases or frostbites.
"[There have] been students coming in with bruises because of falls," he said.
Bullis said any time the body is in a cold environment it tries to compensate its temperature by generating more heat. The body sends less blood to the surface of the skin and more to its interior. If the body does not achieve the necessary warmth, the muscles will initiate movement, making a person shiver.
However, cold presented as it has the past few days does not affect the way students retain information, he said.
"If someone is exposed to cold to the point where the body loses all temperature, they will get confused," Bullis said. "However, in the situation where the student has to walk from class to class, if they are properly bundled, cold will not affect them in any way."
Bullis said students with impaired mobility are in increased risk to get colder as a result of having to transport themselves during longer periods of time from class to class.
Proudfoot recommends disabled students to talk with faculty members about their situation. Faculty members have the responsibility to accommodate students with health needs, he said.
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