When snow began falling Sunday morning Facilities Management worked to clear up sidewalks and streets around Grounds, allowing the University to continue normal academic and medical center operations.
"We very seldom close, but occasionally we delay opening" of school facilities, said Facilities Operations Director Chris Willis. "As long as people can get to and from the University, we open."
While there was not enough accumulation to require a snow plow, crews concentrated on sanding, salting and scraping clean some paths across Grounds, Willis said.
Facilities Management "makes some pretty significant commitments to clearing areas to make them safe," said Mark Fletcher, chair of the University's Security and General Safety Committee.
According to Fletcher, some areas are cleared before others.
"Obviously certain areas have priority over others, like 24-hour areas like the hospital," Fletcher said.
Another area University maintenance crews focused on was academic buildings, while the University Housing Division took care of areas around student housing.
"Our primary focus is to help people get from buildings, then to open classrooms," Willis said.
Some students found the paths perfectly safe, though others used alternative methods.
"I haven't tripped yet because I've been wearing crazy boots because I don't have rain boots that match this outfit," fourth-year College student Sara Tisdale said. "I just don't have cute rain boots-- they're such a status symbol."
Student Health Director James Turner said the inclement weather only caused one student injury when a driver lost control while braking and sustained minor injuries that required treatment in the emergency room. Turner credited the efforts of facilities management with the low injury rate.
"In general, Facilities Management does a great job," Fletcher said.
Classes were not the only thing that continued despite the weather--sorority and fraternity rush went on as planned as well.
"It was funny because we were going to the library in jackets and warm coats, but we saw girls coming back from the sororities in stockings and heels and skirts," first-year College student Steve Halpin said. "Put some clothes on."
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