Groundhog Punxsutawney Phil officially predicted six more weeks of winter after seeing his shadow on Groundhog Day, Feb. 2.
Winter storms will continue to cover Kent State’s campus with sheets of ice and snow. From slippery sidewalks to delayed classes, the challenges of dealing with snow have provoked discourse among students. While some may appreciate an occasional snow day, others express frustration with inadequate snow removal.
Freshman aviation management major Luke Sinsigalli voiced safety concerns about commuting to class during snowy days.
“I have slipped once myself, and I even see people posting about poor walkway conditions all the time,” Sinsigalli said.
In discussing the challenges of snow removal on campus, he expressed strong frustration with the university’s efforts.
“I think the campus does a terrible job with snow removal,” he said. “In the times that I have seen snow removal, it usually takes place in areas that have already been plowed. As for the roads, they are just as bad. The Koonce lot is always poorly plowed and it is incredibly easy to slide while driving.”
Freshman fashion merchandising major Ava Trainer shared her experience walking to class and touched on the conditions of the roads near campus.
“I have a hard time getting around because everything is so slippery, even when they plow the sidewalks,” Trainer said. “The buses are also usually slippery and sometimes they slide on the ice, which is scary.”
Trainer attends events, such as model calls, where she must dress in lighter clothing. However, she said the weather and sidewalk conditions have made that difficult.
“I’m usually so cold that the commute is miserable,” she said. “It takes me longer to get where I’m going because I’m trying not to slip. I sometimes need to dress a certain way for fashion activities and the snow makes me not able to do so.”
Trainer highlighted the severity of the conditions and the potential safety risks posed by extreme cold, even for those who are seemingly well-equipped.
“I feel like I have proper snow attire, but other students do not,” she said. “I also feel like no matter how bundled I am, I’m always so cold that it feels unsafe.”
Sinsigalli emphasized the importance of having proper winter gear but also shed light on the financial challenges some students face when trying to stay warm during harsh weather conditions.
“Fortunately, I am adequately prepared for the weather and conditions here,” he said. “I work outside at the KSU Airport, so I have all the stuff that the university recommended. However, I know that not everyone can afford a full set of thermals, wool socks or snow pants for that matter.”
Staying updated on class cancellations during snow days can be difficult. Trainer shared her go-to method for staying informed about weather conditions on campus, highlighting the importance of communication from faculty and the university in ensuring students are prepared for weather-related disruptions.
“I usually hear about campus weather alerts from my professors or KSU alerts,” Trainer said. “They are very helpful.”
Trainer said universities should adapt to winter weather by offering online classes when conditions become hazardous.
“I think that if we are expected to attend class in this weather, the sidewalks and roads should be cleared much more thoroughly,” she said. I also think there should be some sort of consideration for students who don’t have access to warm clothes.”
Savannah Carroll is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].
