Class Suspensions in Times of Crisis
When the earth shakes, so does the order of things. In the aftermath of recent earthquakes, students wait hopefully for the announcement: "Class suspended."
Behind every announcement lies a complex web of authority and accountability. The power to suspend classes in times of disaster is rooted in police power, the state's fundamental authority to protect life, safety, and public welfare.
The power to suspend classes in times of disaster is not just an administrative prerogative.
Author's summary: Class suspensions involve complex authority and accountability.