Winter is here and has brought snow, hail, rain, and consequently ice, along with it. As we walk around campus, it is hard not to miss the ice and snow. The roads are cleared very quickly and have been kept in good condition considering the weather, but the sidewalks don’t seem to be as safe, and some sets of stairs are off limits.
The main problem on campus is that sidewalks and staircases were not cleared before ice formed and there hasn’t been enough salt placed around campus to combat the ice—at least in the more prominent areas. Along 15th Street there is a lot of ice, and while this road was not a big concern in the past, its use has been increased as a result of offices moving to Academy Hall.
There are also a lot of areas near the dorms that have plenty of ice around them. Students can be seen slipping and falling between the DCC and JEC on both the upper and lower levels. If we are to attend classes, all walkways should be clear and deiced to be sure that accidents are prevented.
Another point of concern is an area that is somewhat off-campus. The route to east campus usually taken by students down Sherry Road is proving to be quite treacherous presently. While this road is only partially under RPI’s jurisdiction, it should still be a concern for local residents to have their walkways clean for themselves and those walking by. We know what a nuisance it is to shovel and put down salt, but these things should not be overlooked. I’m sure you can find a college student willing to make a few extra dollars by shoveling and salting your walkways if you cannot do it yourself.
Right now, metereologists are predicting snow through Sunday, so let’s all work together to make sure campus is safe and that it doesn’t get worse.
