For the first time in its history, Grand Valley State University closed for a day in November due to weather.

With record amounts of snow fall adding up to almost 3 feet, an unprecedented amount for this early in the winter season, GVSU cancelled classes on Nov. 18 and only required essential staff to report.

Since Nov. 18, grounds crew and support staff have been working nearly round the clock to remove snow and maintain campus safety. With extra snow comes the need for more materials including snow salt, trucks and staff.

In response to the large amount of unexpected snow accumulation, facilities has utilized additional staff, brought in on overtime, and contracted support to help with the extended workload.

“We did not ease into winter, but rather, we have been hit with these record snowfalls,” said Tim Thimmesch, associate vice president of facilities services. “This has created challenges for staff that clear the snow, for local road crews and for drivers getting used to winter conditions again.”

One student has already felt the consequences of the record snowfalls. 

Lauren Presutti, a graduate student in a power wheelchair, fell out of her chair due to the large amount of snow on the sidewalk outside of the Niemeyer Honors College building. Presutti needed medical attention after her fall.

“When the snow hit, none of the sidewalks outside of my building were plowed,” Presutti said. “I left for work at
8:45 a.m. and none were plowed.”

On average, including elements such as contractors and equipment, $60,000 to $75,000 is spent a year on campus snow removal at GVSU. These costs vary depending on snow fall, needed materials and the harshness of the winter season.

One of the necessary materials is salt to prevent dangerous conditions on campus.

“Grand Valley is on a guaranteed three-year contract, we coordinate our purchase with the city of Grand Rapids,” Thimmesch said. “We are paying $66 per ton which is close to the same price as last year. I know some area snow removal companies are paying almost double that amount.”

With winter weather also comes the need to consider the factors that go into determining the need for school cancellation due to extreme weather. Because some students and staff members commute to campus, it can be difficult to come to a consensus since weather is not uniform in all areas.

Recommendations to cancel school can come from facilities staff members, police department personnel and other university members.

“We look to keep open communication in our goal to keep campus open,” said Capt. Brandon DeHaan of the Grand Valley Police Department. “There will be periods of time where extreme weather will cause campus to close, but it is the intent of the university to stay open and ensure open and available travel through campus.”

GVPD encourages motorists to use Laker Village Drive compared to North Campus Drive to avoid pedestrian traffic. With hazardous driving conditions, it is important to be cautious of sliding cars, rear ending and losing control while behind the wheel.

“We encourage students to be patient,” DeHaan said. “It is winter, and motorists need to be driving slower and giving themselves more time to get to the places they need to go.”

With the total number of snow days for 2014 reaching five after the most recent snow day, university members are aware and preparing for the harshening weather conditions.

“Early weather forecasts were predicting a drier and warmer winter than normal, which would certainly be in contrast to last year’s winter,” Thimmesch said. “This early, major snow period was not something predicted or anticipated, but we will adapt to it.”

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