With high snow accumulation, sub-zero conditions and frozen roads, winter weather in the greater Grand Rapids area led Grand Valley State University to call “remote learning” days, which allowed
students a couple of “snow days.” Students enjoyed an extra long weekend with remote learning status partially on Friday Jan. 12, after noon, and the entire day on Wednesday Jan. 17. Additionally, many students also had remote learning or classes canceled on
Tuesday, Jan. 16 due to inclement conditions at their professors’ discretion as well as the day off for MLK Jr. Day, unrelated to the weather.
Despite the chilly temperatures, many students took the opportunity during their time off to enjoy the heavy snowfall. Many snow “creations” popped up around campus on the lawns of dorm buildings, dining halls and off-campus student apartment complexes. The creations range from snow people of varying detail and size as well as various obscene “snow appendages” resembling particular male-reproductive organs. Many students took to posting these
obscene sculptures, dubbed “snow dicks,” on social media platforms, including Yik Yak, an app in which users can post anonymously within a five-mile radius.
“Upvote to make snowdicks a gvsu tradition,” posted one Yik Yak user with an image of the snow sculptures in front of GVSU residence halls.
For those that didn’t gear up for the cold, staying inside and playing video games was a very popular activity for students. Many people took the remote days and the snowy weekend as a chance to play video games for hours each day. Student Jennifer Bushey said they mostly played video games over the long weekend, attributing their hours spent gaming to the threat of bitter
cold air that kept them inside.
“I had to go and shovel snow, it was so cold I couldn’t feel my hands for a while,” Bushey said.
Digital entertainment was a major player in students’ snow-day activities, keeping them both out of the harsh conditions and off the dangerous roadways.
GVSU’s location in West Michigan has historically led to harsh winter weather conditions because of lake-effect snow. In a 1972 article from Grand Valley Lanthorn, the article reported
on ways the GVSU community has taken advantage of snow related activities. In years past, GVSU students and staff would organize several outdoor activities to celebrate the extreme Michigan weather. The events included dog sledding, ski races, winter carnivals and sculpture contests. Snow activities, past and present, demonstrate how GVSU students are creating college memories in Michigan’s winter climate.
How the Grand Valley Lanthorn team spent their remote day
“My roommate and I went in our backyard and messed around in the snow, then we had a serious movie marathon over the long weekend,” said Lanthorn News Editor Emma Armijo.
“I was in Tennessee visiting some family and missed almost all of the major snow fall. I actually really love the snow, especially when it’s coming down hard, so that kinda sucked. I’m glad I got to see some family, but I missed the best part and got the worst, clearing the layers of snow and ice off of my car when I got home,” said Lanthorn Sports Editor Nelson Hubbell.
“I unfortunately still had to nanny that Monday morning so I had to trek through the winter storm. However, I was able to come back and watch some Monday Night football and hockey,” said Lanthorn Image Editor Bethann Long.
“I was able to finish some work I had been procrastinating for way too long. I also watched the new “Mean Girls” movie and the Sydney Sweeney rom-com “Anyone But You,” both of which were great,” said Lanthorn Arts & Entertainment Editor Dylan Hoffius.
