The following e-mail was forwarded out to the Clemson University staff and student body:
Dear Clemson:
Later today, we will announce that the Clemson/Florida State football game, our 2007 season opener, will be moved to Labor Day evening for national broadcast by ESPN. We made the decision to move the game at the request of the ACC after carefully considering all of the advantages of the national visibility and excitement that accompanies this Monday night game, along with the disadvantages of managing a high-profile event on a regular class and work day.
One significant advantage is that this move will eliminate any Thursday night games, either at home or away, for the remainder of our 2007 schedule. By coming near the beginning of the semester, it will not interfere with scheduled mid-terms or other events. A third advantage is that we have eight months to plan for the game. I will appoint a task force to develop a game-day management plan that addresses class and lab schedules, office hours, parking and other matters that don't typically arise on a Saturday.
We have a campus full of smart and creative people, and I am certain that you can help us make this opportunity a positive Clemson experience.
Sincerely,
James F. Barker, FAIA
President
Hmm, Monday night game to open the season??? Meh, doesn't matter what day of the week, just so long as we get the W.
Barker's the President, and needs to make the high-level decision to cancel class. It's Labor Day for God's sake, and trying to schedule labs when the town swells with what could be an all-time record attendance would be unconscionable.
ReplyDeleteStudents complaining of labs and afternoon classes during ESPN interviews would be an embarrassment to Clemson, and professors can't expect to get much done anyway.
Moreover, season ticket holders will demand spots no later than 8AM on Monday, which means students and faculty couldn't park anywhere near campus for scheduled classes. I'd love to be the freshman undergrad who has to find parking amongst drunks and the FSU "jort crowd", all the while fighting traffic, which will only be going one-way toward the stadium.
In light of these events, Clemson's policy of never cancelling classes has become ridiculous and a national embarrassment.
I don't see how Barker could've realistically cancelled all classes without ramifications and the students and professors playing catchup. I'm not a big fan of having a game on Labor Day anyway. Because I can't stay up and drink a whole bunch of beer that night and wake up early the next morning for work. Same goes for Thursday nights. That's why college football should always be on Saturdays, because we have Sundays to recoup.
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