<p>LOL…so you think it’s sad that some are going even if they don’t have tickets in hand? I think some are hoping to buy some scalped tickets once they’re there.</p>
<p>I think it’s strange that so many people are willing to skip class to go to California to just hang around (since most are not going to be able to get tickets, I don’t imagine) that the University just threw in the towel and canceled classes. I mean, I’m no anti-football academic snob, but I can’t fathom doing such a thing.</p>
<p>I’m copying this verbatim from an on-going discussion on the matter from the Tuscaloosa News’ forums because it summarized my thoughts on the matter much better than I was able to above:</p>
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<p>I don’t think that the school is advocating partying hard and drinking at all. I think they are acknowledging that many from the school (including faculty, staff, and higher ups) will be going to the game. </p>
<p>Frankly, it’s STUPID that BCS schedules these games on a Thursday night - there’s the real stupidity.</p>
<p>Yes, some will go to Calif w/o tickets just to be close to the action and the tailgating. </p>
<p>This is a big deal for the school. This is the reason the school signed Nick to $4 mil annual salary. It only took 3 years to get here. This is part (just part) of the school’s plan to increase its national prominence. </p>
<p>I don’t think (at all) that this is an endorsement of drinking, poor time management, or anything nefarious. If the school wins (hopefully) the excitement will go on all night.</p>
<p>And, you know what, if UA wins this game, it WILL be more important than 3 days of school. The long-term benefits for ANY school winning the national championship FAR outweighs the benefit of 3 days of school. The championship will be mentioned for DECADES, while those 3 days won’t be remembered by anyone.</p>
<p>I am not arguing that going to the BCS Championship Game is a bad thing AT ALL. But, all the benefits that will come with a victory (or even a loss) will still come even the university had not canceled classes for the week of the game. I don’t see why any student needs to be there in person to enjoy the game IN LIEU OF going to classes, the reason he or she is going to college in the first place.</p>
<p>^^^^</p>
<p>But that can be argued about many holidays. One could always argue that the students would be better off in class, instead of having a day off for - say - Labor Day.</p>
<p>Right now, I can’t remember what it’s called (an accomodation??), but typically schools and businesses close when they feel that too many will be absent for a certain reason.</p>
<p>It doesn’t look like I’m going to pay the change fees for my ticket to go to Pasadena, but I considered it and know people who are going to the game. I feel that the administration is totally justified in canceling classes because this is a HUGE event for UA, especially if we win.</p>
<p>Students understand that there will be work when they get back, an hour before I got Dr. Bonner’s e-mail, my college sent the same e-mail with the part about additional assignments highlighted. Housing is even adding additional airport shuttles for those deciding to return on Friday or Sunday, while keeping the original shuttles. I don’t agree that the university is promoting underage drinking by canceling classes. The reason classes are canceled on Wednesday and Friday is because California is too far away to make it a daytrip compared to New Orleans or Atlanta. Judging by how people reacted to UA beating Florida, there will be huge celebrations if UA wins its 13th National Championship, not to mention the statue of Nick Saban that will go in front of Bryant-Denny in the empty space next to Gene Stallings.</p>
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<p>Right. What I’m saying is I find it dismaying that the University is having to do this.
I wonder what other schools who have participated in the BCS championship game have done about this problem.</p>
<p>^^^</p>
<p>Probably the same thing. </p>
<p>However, I think schools should pressure BCS to schedule this game on a Saturday evening. That would mean schools would only have to close Friday (at the most).</p>
<p>I have never heard a logical explanation as to why BCS has this game on Thursday nights. It’s a huge game, but it’s given a stupid schedule. The Jan 1st bowl games have the best day. Why can’t the game be on Jan 9th???</p>
<p>feenotype, its a southern thing LOL!!! high school was recently closed as the team was in state finals… anything to do with football gets priority…much to my chagrin at times, when other clubs dont get the same consideration.</p>
<p>ps, my oldest isnt a football fan but if he was he would be in heaven…lives in pasadena now.</p>
<p>This is proof positive that Alabama fans are SERIOUS! That is not to say that other schools don’t have serious fans, and I am not advocating either way w/regard to the cancellation of classes. Having grown up around Alabama fans, I am not surprised, however, by the cancellation of classes! Alabama football is the closest thing to a pro team that the state has, so you can imagine the loyalty that comes with the championship game. If a prospective student does not pick up on the huge fan base of Alabama football, then perhaps they haven’t really come to know the university.</p>
<p>^^^</p>
<p>Yes, Alabama loves football. 
The funny thing is that even kids who come to the school not liking or caring about football seem to catch the fever and end up loving the Crimson Tide… It kind of cracks me up. :)</p>
<p>mom2collegekids, all I know is that the BCS Championship Game is played a week after the BCS bowl games. I guess it’s for logistical and financial reasons.</p>
<p>My kids’ high school closed when the girls made the state championship for soccer and also for volleyball. So, schools do these kinds of things.</p>
<p>[University</a> to delay start of spring semester](<a href=“http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20091209/NEWS/912089888/1007?Title=University-to-delay-start-of-spring-semester&tc=autorefresh"]University”>http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20091209/NEWS/912089888/1007?Title=University-to-delay-start-of-spring-semester&tc=autorefresh)</p>
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<p>For the record, the Faculty Senate passed a measure 23-10-1 denouncing the decision to cancel classes.</p>
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<p>Being the “southern thing” or the popular thing to do does not make this the correct thing to do. I do understand Dr. Bonner was in a no-win situation, and I don’t fault her for making the decision she made. </p>
<p>My basic point is that UA having to make this move is a statement that does not sit well with me.</p>
<p>I don’t think that it’s something that only southern schools do. However, it does affect those few schools that make it to the championship because the other “top” bowl games occur while schools are closed for Christmas.</p>
<p>I realize that the game traditionally happens after the BCS bowl games. What I DON’T understand is why it can’t be on a Saturday evening (like Jan 9th). I don’t know of ANY reason why it must be on a Thursday night. That is dumb.</p>
<p>Feenotype, I agree with you completely. I have been following this thread with some disbelief. I realize that football rules all in the south but to cancel classes over this for a game being played far away does not sit well with me at all. Are they going to extend the school year to make up for these days? I doubt it. If my dd attends as an out of state full paying student, you better believe I would be majorly ****ed off over this.</p>
<p>Well, going to the BCS is a rare event. Who knows when UA will qualify again. But, if UA thinks that Saban will repeatedly win SEC championships, then they’ll have to take this into account for future planning. I’m not sure the school thought that UA could beat FL this year.</p>
<p>I’ll try to find out what other schools do. I don’t think this is unique to the south, unless other schools always return for spring semester later in January.</p>
<p>UTexas doesn’t start school until later in January, so it’s not affected at all. Lucky them. :)</p>
<p>AFAIK, there is no law saying how many days of classes there must be other than the requirement that so many hours of class equals a credit, which is only for accreditation and exceeded anyway. The first day of classes is just passing out a syllabus anyway and I’ve had instructors not show up for that. Football may be big in the South, but the decision to cancel classes can be viewed from a logistical prospective. UA is not changing anything other than classes will be one day shorter during the semester otherwise, it will be business as usual that Wednesday through Friday. I have no idea why the BCS Championship is not on a Saturday or on January 1, taking the place of the normal Rose Bowl.</p>