Disaster should be addressed in classroom
It’s been more than a week since Hurricane Sandy devastated parts of the East Coast, and people everywhere have chipped in to help those gravely affected by the storm’s destruction. However, many students at USC have complained about the lack of acknowledgement by professors and students. Many professors decided not to mention Sandy, even though New Jersey is the fifth-largest feeder state to USC.
It’s true that the storm didn’t hit hard down here, but it should be a duty of an educator to ask how his or her students are doing in times of distress. USC is currently in the middle of midterms and other class work before the end of the semester, which is another reason to ask how students are doing. With the stress of the extra work and the destruction of Sandy, students’ mental health and welfare should be the No. 1 priority, not just review sessions.
Whether the professor teaches in a lecture hall or a small classroom, touching base on major national issues (Sandy was a federal emergency, for those who don’t believe it was a big deal) is important. Taking the next step and checking in on students is imperative.
The lack of sympathy on the part of USC educators and administrators is disappointing. Over the past week, students have been making more of an effort to acknowledge Sandy and its victims, most likely because students are aware of their friends’ backgrounds. In this case, professors can learn from students. Sandy is a subject that deserves more than awareness, and keeping it quiet in classrooms isn’t going to change anything.