The author of this piece is a student-employee of the university and has requested anonymity to protect their identity. 

Dear [email protected],

Have you ever seen the movie “The Devil Wears Prada?” More importantly, have you ever seen the part where Miranda Priestly is demanding to be flown out of Miami mid-hurricane, saying, “Please…I don’t know. It’s just drizzling,” as thunder cracks and palm trees bend 90 degrees in the background? Because that is you when it comes to blizzards.

That’s all I could say when I saw an email from you on Thursday saying that residents could move in on Friday. There was a little problem: You sent me that email at 9:41 p.m. I was appalled. Shocked. Offended. Think Billy Ray Cyrus watching Miley and her foam finger. I basically had the same expression.

There was information about this soon-to-be-historic blizzard everywhere for a week before it came. I mean everywhere. I understand it takes some time to make official decisions when it comes to the safety of students, and I thank you for taking it seriously. But seriously? I felt like I was a booty call. You can’t just call for me to come over when it’s beneficial for you. You especially can’t do that if you’re not going to be able to provide food after 2:00 p.m. on the day of the blizzard.

As an out-of-state student who lives across the country, I know the struggle that so many other students face traveling back to Stony in January. Imagine the normal struggles everyone faces when traveling, and then add a ginormous blizzard that literally canceled everything and obliterated any hope or smidge of joy in your life. But wait, Stony told you last freaking minute you can move in on Friday! Too bad I had to book my flight three months ago. I would love to be able to simply change my flight, but I simply cannot afford that luxury. It might have something to do with the fact that my tuition has increased nearly $3,000 per semester in my past three years here, but whatever.

I would have been excited to hear on Sunday that classes before 1 p.m. on Monday were cancelled, but when that email was sent, I was already passed out on a bus heading to Stony Brook after hauling my 65-pound luggage around the giant slush hole that was Manhattan. I understand canceling classes is something the university would rather not do, but most people I know would have appreciated not having to go through the stress of traveling, unpacking and hopefully making it to their later Monday classes.

I’m no longer annoyed with you. I’m no longer angry. I’m no longer praying for another blizzard so I can finally finish “Parks and Recreation.” For now, I’m simply hoping for timely decisions and email notices.

As Miranda Priestly would say, “that’s all.”