Lights out. No AC. But it’s time for school? 

This is the reality for many USF students returning to campus after the latest storm in the back-to-back hurricanes that tore through Tampa. 

This Sunday, the university announced the Tampa campus would open its doors the next day, and starting Tuesday, professors would be able to choose how to hold their classes – remotely, in-person or asynchronously. 

But for me and many other students, it’s too soon to resume classes. 

Josse Galvez, a senior mass communications major, summed it up perfectly.

“Just like I had time to evacuate, I need time to un-evacuate,” he said. 

Because of the storm, many students – including myself – had to leave Tampa Bay. For students who evacuated out-of-state, two days is not enough time in advance to notify students when classes will be resuming.

Related:  USF moves groundbreaking ceremony and Homecoming Week 

This announcement from the university was very sudden and unfair. 

“It felt abrupt because they left it until the last minute,” Galvez said. “We didn’t know what we were doing until Sunday evening.” 

Between gas shortages, broken traffic lights and the short notice, it seems unrealistic that USF should expect students to carry on as they were. 

And that doesn’t even include the elephant in the room – power outages.

TECO said it anticipated restoring power to Pinellas and Hillsborough County customers by 11:59 p.m. Thursday – a full two days after USF classes were set to resume.

“A 24-hour notice for all students to return is a terrible decision. Many locals still have no power, and good luck to commuters,” one user commented on The Oracle’s Instagram post. “Even Hillsborough County Public Schools aren’t ready to return. Do better USF.”

But other factors – such as gas and transportation – still worry students like Galvez.

“A lot of factors other than if I have power determine whether or not I will go back,” Galvez said. “Is it livable? Are people’s needs met or are they pitchforking in the streets for gas?”

Related: A guide to USF’s post-hurricane resources

Expecting students to commute to USF amidst all these driving hazards is absurd.

“People were talking about not being able to even get back on campus because they can’t get gas,” said Jada Lessen, a junior psychology major, about her drive back to campus. “I was nervous about the roads because traffic lights are still out in some areas on the way to USF.” 

USF’s Tampa dorms didn’t even start reopening until Sunday morning. 

Those living in Juniper-Poplar Hall, which opened its doors on Monday afternoon, had 15 hours to get back onto campus if they had an 8 a.m. class in-person on Tuesday. 

Related: USF Juniper-Poplar residents return amid frustrations, AC issues

A university spokesperson said the university is urging professors to be “flexible, lenient and understanding” with those impacted by the hurricane. 

However, the spokesperson would not confirm if this was a recommendation or a requirement. 

And herein lies the issue.

Should students really be punished for something they have no control over? 

Looking at how some professors have responded – a lot of my own teachers have canceled classes or moved them online. 

And if professors are going to cancel classes anyways, why even resume this week? 

Online classes aren’t even a viable option for students who still have no power at home. 

When thinking of the travel time, power issues and extensive damage to Tampa Bay, it would be better if USF just delayed the start of school for the rest of the week.