Junior exercise science major Andrew Ryan woke up for his 9 a.m. class Wednesday and wondered how Ball State University could possibly have classes. He checked his e-mail several times before he had to leave, he said, and nothing had been sent leading him to believe he would have class.
Ball State's delayed decision to cancel classes caused inconveniences for much of the university's student body, including Ryan.
He reluctantly went outside and tried to dig his car out of the snow, he said, before deciding to begin the 15-minute walk to campus. Ryan said he got halfway to campus by taking the unshoveled sidewalks and unplowed roads. As he was waiting at an intersection, he said two people in a car yelled to him about classes being canceled.
"I was angry because I was already halfway to campus and I had to go back," he said. "If they could have [canceled classes] earlier it would've been better ... There is really no excuse."
More students across campus were already in class when they found out the university's decision for the rest of the day.
Senior elementary education major Amber Stephenson was in her 8 a.m. class for about 40 minutes before her classmate received a text message alert from the university saying classes were canceled.
Stephenson said having her class Wednesday was "ridiculous" because none of the roads or sidewalks were plowed when she walked to class.
"It was hard enough to walk there," she said, "I couldn't believe people were driving. We were under a winter weather advisory so they could have canceled, mainly for the commuters."
Other students barely learned of the cancellation before leaving for class.
Freshman architecture major Cat Hamilton said she received a text message before leaving her room for class, but didn't check it. She thought it was from a friend, she said. When she read the message as she and her friend were leaving their residence hall, Hamilton relayed the news and the two were ecstatic.
"We were actually saying that we really wished this college would have a snow day this morning," she said. "It's still unbelievable. I'm still expecting a text that says 'Just kidding.'"
Tyrone Malik Cato contributed to this report.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
