Significant snowfall leaves students pleased, University largely unfazed

Starting before dawn yesterday morning and ending around dusk, a total of 7 inches of snow fell on the University and the surrounding community.

Whether it was an impromptu "Snow Bowl" in Mathey Courtyard or members of the women's rugby team pummeling each other with snowballs outside Dillon Gym, Princetonians reveled in the first heavy snowfall of the season today.

Matt Piselli '06 and Jose Leonor '06, for example, were outside before 10 a.m. to sled on the quad below Prospect Gardens. Other students flocked to the hill by the tennis courts. Walker courtyard echoed with Christmas music after Chris Duss '05 and Tom Zychinski '05 placed their speakers in their window and put on holiday songs.

The storm was the first significant snowfall in more than five years, and the earliest the area has received in any of those years, said Don Reichling, acting director of Public Safety.

Despite the snowfall, there were no major accidents on campus. But there were some slips in the snow. Debra Stafford '04 was stepping off the snowy curb outside Jones Hall when she slid and twisted her ankle. "It's not fun," she said, while waiting outside McCosh Health Center propped on crutches.

Princeton Township Police also had a "quiet day," according to a dispatcher who said there were two minor car accidents.

Public Safety implemented its usual snow day practices, using only four-wheel drive vehicles.

The building and grounds maintenance departments are responsible for clearing the paths around campus, and keeping them clear as the snow continues to fall.

"They do a fabulous job," Reichling said, "I give them kudos for all the work they do."

Many people saw the snow as an opportunity rather than as a burden. "As long as you have a pulse you have an obligation to go sledding when the opportunity arises," visiting humanities professor Joel Achenbach '82 wrote in an email. "The golf course gets all the sledding buzz but there are actually lots of good hills right on campus, so long as you bring the right attitude (and a decent sled and not a mere trashcan lid or cafeteria tray)."

Later in the day, three juniors prepared to go cross-country skiing. While there was not enough snow for skiing last year, they said the conditions yesterday looked ideal, as they headed down University Place toward the "packed powder" of the golf course.

Snow pros and snow woes

Depending on what area of the country they were from, students reacted very differently to the snowfall. One writing seminar erupted in debate when Jack Pichard '06 of California contended that the snow was miserable and New Hampshire native Grant Edwards '06 argued that the snowy weather was enjoyable.

Many students were pleasantly surprised to find that some classes had been canceled. Tim Prugar '06 said he woke up for a 9 a.m. Italian class only to return 15 minutes later, his professor having never shown up. He said he happily went to bed for the rest of the morning.

There were, of course, many students who simply elected to take a holiday from class. Still, some trudged through the snow to make it to lecture or precept on time.

"We're the really die-hard Nietzscheans," quipped professor Alexander Nehamas GS '71 to those present in his lecture for PHI 306: Nietzche.

But the snow was not nearly enough to close down the University. The school was prepared for the snow and able to keep all its buildings open.

Nonessential personnel — those not critical to the basic operations of the University — were allowed to leave at 2 p.m. while others remained into the night clearing walkways.

The school would only close "in extreme blizzard-like conditions, where winds are blowing and it might not even be safe to walk to a building," said Lauren Robinson-Brown '85, University communications director.

Good and bad for business

Downtown businesses were adversely affected. Many shops, including Landau's and Micawber Books, closed early because of the inclement weather.

Even the Small World Coffee closed its doors by 5 p.m. — but not before racking up in hot chocolate sales. One cashier estimated that he had made 60 hot chocolates in an hour.

Cafe Vivian had not seen a noticeable increase in hot chocolate sales, said Lisa Linn De Barona, dining services general manager. But she speculated students would soon be coming in.

"Everybody's still out making snow angels," she said.

A cold warning

While the University may permit sledding and throwing snowballs the winter wonderland does have its rules.

"Participating in any sort of Nude Olympics is banned," warned Lauren Robinson-Brown, director of communications for the University. "Students should know that they would be subject to disciplinary action" if they participate in such an event.