When snow strikes, teams of workers, administrators keep campus running

Amid Monday's swirling snowdrifts — or surprising lack thereof — the campus braced itself to face the eye of the storm. Apart from an occasional canceled precept or skid over an unseen patch of ice, students maintained their hectic, pre-midterm-week schedules.

University response actions ensured that life on campus proceeded normally despite the winter weather.

Officials stayed informed of local conditions through an extensive monitoring system and made decisions accordingly.

Public Safety Director Jerrold Witsil explained that he typically screens a combination of sources including the National Weather Service, radio broadcasts and Websites for weather and procedure reports.

The University has also contracted a company from Massachusetts to provide frequent faxed updates, specialized for this region.

As a result of ongoing communication with both municipal and state law enforcement officials, the University is immediately alerted when the governor declares a state of emergency.

Witsil said the University's decision to operate on an abbreviated schedule is often associated with a state declaration of emergency.

"The University never totally closes, and it did not in this case. I'm not sure how that voice mail message got generated," he said in reference to Sunday evening's campus-wide announcement.

"This institution simply does not cancel classes. Faculty members find it very difficult to reschedule. We are not a commuting school; the student populace is already on campus, and a majority of the faculty lives in close proximity," he added.

"Yesterday, only employees pre-designated 'critical and necessary' reported to work," he said.

This classification is reserved for "snow removal crews, members of public safety, building services and dining services necessary to keep the facilities running," said Michael McCay, facilities general manager of plant and services.

Staff in McCosh Health Center are also among this group.

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In terms of the eating clubs' staffs, "There is no set ICC policy regarding snow. If staff can't come in, then club officers will do their best to take their place and get things done," said ICC chairman Dan Winn '01.

Members of the Grounds Department manage the bulk of snow removal, operating the snowplows.

The cleaning crews generally clear pathways using snowblowers. "We are responsible for maintaining immediate sidewalks and entrances to buildings," said Director of Building Services Jonathan Baer. "We try to get the word out. We want crews to start early."

Crews begin work as early as 2 a.m.

For some employees, starting so early may mean staying late. The University has made provisions such as cots, mattresses and toiletries so that necessary staff may remain overnight on a 24-hour stand-by basis.

"This is a team effort, and an organized effort," Witsil said. When snow threatens, the University doesn't freeze in its tracks.