A Slow Spring

["Deany M. Cheramie" <ENGL-DMC@nich-nsunet.nich.edu>]

Our problem this spring is two fold:
1) We relocated over the break from a location on the main quad 
to the first floor of the library. The library is a newer building 
located two blocks from the main quad. Its convenient for 
students in the library (we figure business will pickup around 
research paper time), but we are inconvenient for students in the 
core curriculum courses, like English and history, that take place 
in the older buildings around the quad. Yet we have seen an influx 
from the life sciences people (nursing, biology, etc.). But their 
newer building is right next to ours.
2) Our second wrinkle is the weather. It has been unseasonalbly 
cold this winter. Most Januarys in South Louisiana are spent in 
sweaters and light jackets. This winter I had to zip the wool 
lining into my London Fog in mid-December, when I normally 
never use it all. We've had 5 hard freezes in the past six weeks; 
normally we don't have that many in 5 years! Typical January 
temps run about 55-65 with warm fronts bringing 70's (and rain).  
Our current average is 40. Our students, who are not used to such 
hardships (you can laugh; its okay) are coming to campus simply 
to attend class. They then go home to try and find plumbers to 
come and fix the frozen, burst pipes. 

Students are unwilling to walk through the 15 degree wind chill 
to go to the wc. And I don't blame them. It's time for me to walk 
over there, and I'm not looking forward to it either. Maybe I'll 
drive today.

deany


DEANY M. CHERAMIE   
engl-dmc@nich-nsunet.nich.edu
504-448-4207 
Dept. of English 
Nicholls State University
PO Box 2023            
Thibodaux, LA 70310   

TODAY'S QUOTE: "I have spent my life in opposition
and I rather like the role."  -Eleanor Roosevelt