Campus Snow Plan

In the event of winter weather, a “snow plan” will be put into effect.  This plan includes areas to be pre-treated and post-treated for snow and ice as well as designating parking areas that will be easily accessible during winter conditions on campus.

 Pre-treated Areas

The goal of pre-treatment before a snowfall is to keep snow from bonding with roads, sidewalks, steps and entrances to avoid slipping and falling. If the snowfall is light (less than 3 inches), this process should make walking or driving easier, but you should still exercise caution. One important key to remember is that the pre-treatment will not necessarily melt the fallen snow if it is heavy precipitation. If these areas are pre-treated, it will “slush” the snow and keep it from freezing or bonding to surfaces, therefore, making it easier to shovel and remove.

When pre-treating areas, we want to make everything as accessible as possible to everyone on campus. We will stick to sidewalks and pavement for walking paths and not grassy areas. This means that your normal route to class or the cafeteria might be covered up but you will find a way to get there on the sidewalks or pre-treated paths. Walking through grassy areas or “creating your own path” can prove hazardous as you may slip and fall. Although it may be inconvenient for a short amount of time, you should be able to get anywhere that you need to go on campus from where you live or work.

Here are some other tips that might help when walking around campus:

  • Along sidewalks, look for darkened or shiny patches and avoid them. These are ice patches and the most likely spot for walkers to slip.
  • Walk with short and relatively quick steps along thin, hard snow or ice. Slips happen when you firmly plant your foot on slippery surfaces. Shorter, quicker steps reduce the leverage that enables slips.
  • Keep your weight leaning slightly forward.
  • Keep your arms out so that, in case you do fall, you can brace or catch yourself.