The last time Arizona played in a Thursday night game, it upset the then-ranked No. 2 Oregon Ducks. This year, the Wildcats are upsetting some people, but it’s not taking place at Arizona Stadium.
Numerous professors have canceled class, rearranged tests or even moved project due dates in light of the unusual scheduling of the yearly rivalry game with ASU that starts tonight at 6 p.m. — some, like molecular and cellular biology professor Angel Pimentel did it in response to students’ requests.
“”I didn’t know anything about the game, so I scheduled this exam,”” said Pimentel. “”They brought it to my attention, the conflict for them.””
Pimentel decided that he would make it optional for students to take the exam, originally scheduled for 5:30 p.m., at an earlier time. But he had one condition — students must bring him proof that they attended the game.
He said he expects a considerable amount of students, about 100 out of his 300-person class, to take the test earlier.
Senior offensive tackle Adam Grant said he was thrilled that some faculty is making accommodations.
“”I think it shows huge support from our school. We put our bodies on the line every week for our student body, our fans and our teammates,”” Grant said. “”For teachers to go and do that, it’s … I’m happy to say that I’m part of this school if they’re willing to do that for us. I’m couldn’t be prouder of them and I hope they’re proud of us.””
Defensive end Brooks Reed said he was shocked, but thankful, that professors would work around the football team’s schedule.
“”It’s cool. I didn’t even know they were doing that. It means a lot, the last game of the season in Tucson playing our rival,”” Reed said. “”It means a lot to the town, and I’m pretty sure everyone knows what it means to play ASU in our stadium. It will be rocking.””
When it was announced that the yearly rivalry game between Arizona and ASU would take place on a Thursday night, there were sure to be some logistical problems.
Aside from parking, which has been predicted to cause traffic problems all around Arizona’s campus starting seven hours prior to game time, there is also the problem that students face of getting into the ZonaZoo student section before it fills up.
Some professors, though, don’t consider getting into the ZonaZoo a priority.
“”I’m going to meet class as usual,”” English professor Roger Dahood said. “”I have to meet them. Unless there’s a really extraordinary reason not to.””
Dahood isn’t alone. The communication department was told specifically to not rearrange class schedules in order to accommodate students going to the game.
Dahood said that he mentioned the game to his students earlier in the week because he had heard rumors from students who thought classes for Thursday were canceled.
“”I brought it up because I thought that there were rumors that classes were going to be canceled,”” Dahood said.
When he informed his class that lecture would still be taking place, Dahood said he received “”blank looks.””
“”I have no principle to connection to people who respond by canceling classes,”” Dahood said. “”If I weren’t concerned I wouldn’t be able to get through my whole syllabus, I might consider doing something else, but it seems no reason for me to do so.””