The entire country is currently facing a frigid polar vortex delivering dangerously cold temperatures across the nation, in the midst of the largest public health crisis of our lifetime. Here in Tulsa, residents are faced with constantly slick roads, freezing temperatures, and a frigid, unforgiving wind.

Although The University of Tulsa has cancelled in person classes for the rest of the week, it is continuing to insist on virtual learning, claiming that it's possible and necessary to continue working in spite of current conditions. However, within the past few days, students and professors alike have had to deal with the struggles of living during this time, risking their lives and livelihoods every time they have to go to the grocery store or across campus to buy food or pick up prescriptions, resulting in crashed cars and injured bodies. On campus, the roads and sidewalks continue to ice over despite the effort to treat them with salt and sand by university personnel. On Wednesday night, the Subway location inside of The Union closed early, citing increasingly dangerous road conditions for their employees and stranding students with one less meal option in an already-scarce dining hall. Inside, students and educators both on and off campus have had to deal with near-constantly unstable wifi, especially regarding university connections. Because of the cold, some have experienced power outages, not only preventing them from attending class and digitally working but also jeopardizing their health in their inability to heat their homes.

We are in the middle of a deadly ice storm, in the middle of a deadly pandemic. Although education is fundamental to a functioning society, our priorities should not lie in trying to attend class and complete assignments when some of us are struggling to physically survive the week. Please, allow the campus to take a breath and take care of themselves. We need to focus on staying safe. Collaborate can wait.