JESSICA SERRANO
Special to The Leader
When students hear about a snow day, it’s usually followed by a lot of excitement. That isn’t the case here in Fredonia.
We might have to deal with this polar vortex for a lot longer than anticipated.
According to Judah Cohen, a worker at a New England-based firm, Atmospheric Environmental Research, said “I think at a minimum, we’re looking at mid-February, possibly through mid-March.”
Because of the strong wind chills, it’s possible to catch frostbite from being outside for just 20 minutes. Consequently, going out for a late night walk to Sunny’s might not be the smartest idea.
Kevin Cloos, the Director of Facilities Services, oversees how the campus handles snow removals.
He reassured that during a storm, the staff focuses on plowing and clearing the parking areas.
Once the snow stops falling, the staff works to clean up snow piles, push snow back to provide more space and complete detail work to provide wider and safer walkways, including exterior stairs near Dods Hall and Reed Library.
Kyle MacDonald, a freshman criminal justice major, said he was cleaning snow off his car when another student needed help getting his car out of a snow bank in parking lot 9A and spun out in the parking lot.
“I know that the faculty is doing the best they can to keep us students safe when it comes to driving and walking. We just have to be aware that they are not superheroes,” said MacDonald. “We have to be aware of our surroundings at all times to be safe in this weather.”
When such harsh weather hits Fredonia, the University Police play a big role in whether classes get canceled or not.
“I check all road conditions and weather issues that might impact the campus. I check to see if the thruway is closed or there are any travel advisories or travel bans,” said Chief of University Police Ann Burns.
Burns and President Horvath sometimes talk with the Chautauqua County Disaster Coordinator and the Red Cross because Dods and Steele Halls are designated Red Cross emergency centers.
Burns stressed that this is important in case a group of people are displaced and need an emergency place to go to, such as when power is lost.
The Fredonia campus community should not take the travel bans lightly and stay warm. Students should be aware that if they need help in this weather, they can call University Police at 716-673-3333.