Staff Editorial
When you’re a student at St. Bonaventure, basketball is part of daily life whether you like it or not. With all the success of both the men’s and women’s basketball teams, ignoring the hype is practically impossible.
On March 16, the campus was almost eerily empty. It seemed a majority of students were either in Tennessee to cheer on the men or closed up in their dorms intently watching the game on TV. Afternoon classes were immediately forgotten in excitement about the game.
While skipping too many classes can be harmful to your GPA, earning a spot in the NCAA’s hasn’t happened in twelve years for the men. The women have never made it before. Missing a class to watch and support your fellow classmates and friends as they play their hearts out is not something a student should be penalized for.
School spirit is normally encouraged, and you could practically feel it oozing off students as they proudly donned WolfPack shirts. Taking points off a student’s grade for supporting his or her school seems a little backward.
Roderick Hughes, associate professor of philosophy, said he agrees.
“My view is that this could be a once-in-a-lifetime chance,” Hughes said. “I wish I could have gone. No penalty.”
Anne Lee, lecturer of journalism and mass communication, agreed with Hughes.
“When students told me they’d be in Atlantic City or in Nashville or in Tallahassee, I gave them my blessing and thanked them for cheering on the team,” Lee said. “Truthfully, I expect them to do their missed work. I’m reasonable, and I am sure they’ll be responsible.”
Some other professors were just as excited for the basketball teams but still believe students should obey the attendance policies.
English professor Richard Simpson is split on his feelings.
“A missed class is a missed class. But supporting the school is supporting the school — and part of the history and lore and huge fun of Bona’s is the basketball tradition, now definitely and wonderfully including the women’s team,” Simpson said. “I expect my students to keep up with work, and I don’t like absences. I have a written attendance policy that allows two cuts for any reason.”
Clare College professor Bob Donius agreed with Simpson’s stance.
“When something as big and rare as a trip to the NCAA Tournament comes our way, it is easy for me to excuse a conscientious student to travel to the dance to support the team,” Donius said. “It is not easy for me to excuse a student who has not demonstrated conscientious attendance and effort.”
Elise DeVido, assistant professor of history, said even though she’s thrilled about the basketball team’s success, she still applies her attendance policy to all of her students to be fair to all.
“I’ve been discussing with athletes ways to make up work and the missed classes,” DeVido said.
Most professors are lenient when it comes to supporting our school. Basketball fans need to remember there are some students at Bonaventure who are not basketball fans and still need and want to attend class.
While a professor may not completely cancel a class, most are willing to come to an agreement as long as students don’t abuse the privileges they receive.
For this year’s seniors, this is the best goodbye present they could have received. Hopefully, the professors at Bonaventure will not penalize the seniors, or any other students, for supporting the school.
