Snowfall creates slippery conditions for students

Snowflakes are all and beautiful and create a blanket of pure white that covers everything. It's nice, until you have to walk to class. \n"I hate it," said junior Sarah Miller. "Last year, I fell three times on the way to class."\nEven students who don't find the sidewalks as dangerous view the snowfall as a hassle.\n"It's kind of awkward walking with all the ice," sophomore Justin Swing said. "You try not to make a fool of yourself because people are watching."\nOther times, the remedy itself can be a pain.\n"The sand makes it slushy," senior Lauren Matisoff said. "That's worse than packed snow."\nWhen it snows, the Campus Division of the Physical Plant is in charge of clearing the sidewalks of IU's campus. This is the same department that is in charge of grounds maintenance, landscaping and constructing sidewalks and other outdoor structures on campus.\nAfter snow begins to cover the sidewalks, their office normally receives a call from IU Police Department to report an area that needs to be cleared, said Mike Schrader, system manager for Campus Division.\n"When we get one call we check everything," Schrader said.\nSchrader said the walkways around the academic buildings on campus are the first priority on weekdays. Brick walkways are also treated first and with special attention because they may freeze first, Schrader said.\nThe Toro Groundsmaster, a small tractor, is the main tool used by the Campus Division staff for snow removal, Schrader said. A blade attachment is used for heavy wet snow while a brush attachment is used for lighter, fluffier snow. In places where the tractor can't go, such as steps, shovels must be used, Schrader said. The Building Services staff often helps with shoveling the steps around buildings on campus.\nWhen snow hits Bloomington hard, clearing it away can take a great deal of effort, as well as time.\n"Our employees have worked between 50 and 60 hours for one snow event," Schrader said. \nAlthough employees must often be paid overtime after a heavy snow, there is no separate fund for snow removal, said Hank Hewetson, director of IU's Physical Plant.\n"If severe snow causes us to spend more, it leaves less for other things," Hewetson said.\nIn the Campus Division's mission statement, its goals are stated as making the campus safe and beautiful.\n"Snow removal falls under safety," Schrader said. "That's our No. 1 priority."\n-- Contact Staff Writer David Charles at dacharle@indiana.edu.