Campus Safety suggests students invest in shovels when plowed in after snow removal
The compilation of multiple snowstorms has left many Keene State College students in need of assistance.
The Winchester lot is one of six parking lots available for student drivers. The Winchester lot is the largest of the lots, and snow removal in this area has complicated many driver’s agendas. Arthur Winsor, also known as Bud, is the assistant director of the Physical Plant-Grounds department, here at KSC.
Winsor, who has worked at KSC for 20 years, said, “Part of the problem is, where there are cars that don’t move during a storm, they think we are plowing them in.” Winsor explained that his workers face their plows away from parked cars to diminish the amount of snow left behind. However, the reality is, snow will be left behind. “It is almost impossible not to put snow behind the cars,” Winsor stated. Winsor continued to explain that the department’s intentions are never to leave students stuck and inconvenienced. Winsor added that, in parts of the Winchester lot, the spaces are angled down towards a drain, which adds to student’s frustration.
Bree Kraus / Equinox Staff:
Cars are stuck in the Winchester parking lot due to recent plowing. According to Arthur Winsor, assistant director of Physical Plant-Grounds department at KSC, it is almost impossible not to put snow behind the cars.
Many students have experienced these difficulties which have resulted in calling KSC Campus Safety for help.
A sophomore student at KSC who asked to remain anonymous stated after calling Campus Safety for help after finding his car stuck after a storm, the office instructed him to purchase a shovel from Walmart. The student indicated that he was able to get the car out of the parking spot after many failed attempts. Campus Safety Officer Brendan Bosquet explained the remark made toward the student.
Bosquet stated, “We are not trying to be negative, but if you were off campus, who would dig you out?” Bosquet added that students should invest in this type of equipment in the case of these problems. Bosquet noted that it will help them in the long run, once they are located off campus.
“Triple A [AAA] has a list of necessities, such as blankets, shovels and flashlights, which people should have in their cars,” Bosquet said. Bosquet added that Campus Safety officers are not expected to shovel or push students out of spaces. “If one of the officers were to get hurt in attempting to help the students, we would then lose those people for our listed duties. Students should be prepared,” Bosquet explained.
Winsor agreed with Bosquet and said students can benefit from buying retractable shovels for their cars. “I want students to know that they can call us if they get stuck, but it would not hurt to invest in a shovel,” Winsor said. Winsor further explained they would still be making attempts to clear the snow from the lot as students disperse home for the weekend.
Bree Kraus / Equinox Staff: Students find themselves snowed in after snowstorms and rounds of plowing in the Winchester lot. Campus Safety advised students to keep snow equipment in their cars.
“On Friday from one p.m. to four p.m., we will be in the Winchester lot clearing the spaces as students leave so that when they come back, they are coming back to a clean space,” Winsor shared. If this process is successful, it will continue as needed, Winsor said. Students may call the Grounds Department, Officer Bosquet stated. Some of the Campus Safety cruisers have been equipped with shovels to assist students as successfully as they can. “We are doing our best to keep students safe, but this is an ongoing battle. We want to help students but the students need to work with us,” Bosquet said.
“We want to help students as well,” Winsor explained.
Bree Kraus / Equinox Staff:
A Keene State College student’s car is stuck in snow in the Winchester parking lot after the lot was plowed following multiple snowstorms.
Winsor added that students should be aware of the need for personal preparation. He said if students move their car as soon as possible after a snowstorm, it will decrease their chances of getting stuck. Winsor recommended that if students see the plow in the parking lot, they shouldn’t be afraid of going and moving their car as Grounds will clear the spot and students can pull back in.
Haley Erdbrink can be contacted at herbrink@keene-equinox.com
