Keene State College needs to consider all students when maintaining snow on campus
A snow storm hit Keene on Saturday and students had to quickly adapt to the extreme weather. Campus got a few inches of snow, but the management of the aftermath seemed subpar to what we hoped for.
It goes without saying that if you live in New England, you’re going to get snow. People who have grown up here know that a good pair of winter boots, a warm jacket, hats, gloves and thick socks are must-haves if you’re going anywhere outside in the cold. Temperatures in Keene specifically have been consistently in the single digits and negatives lately, and the matching snow has come with it. Living here, we expect cold weather and practice caution when walking around. But when students expect snowy weather, we also hope to see shoveled walkways and doorsteps when we go to class. And although snow melts and the sidewalks are going to be clear again eventually, the handful of days since the blizzard seemed to be a walking hazard for everyone trying to go outside.
The Equinox saw a good amount of slush on the ground the days following the storm and had first-hand experience, like most New Englanders, sliding around on our daily commutes. It’s known that the Keene State College (KSC) grounds team puts their hard work into plowing the snowfall, and we want to thank them for not letting students trudge through half a foot of snow. But we think the follow up shoveling could’ve been a bit better.
Having layers of ice on the ground poses a disadvantage to students using wheelchairs, or students on crutches with injuries. The Equinox’s personal anecdotes found that there are students who have had the wheels on their wheelchairs spin out, and they were not able to get through the thick slush and snow. Not only is this an accessibility issue, but also a safety risk issue for those individuals. In addition, if those students in wheelchairs aren’t able to effectively get to the dining commons or Wellness Center, then a further concern for their livelihood and health is raised as well.
When walking around campus, a layer of icy slush was on every path. It was thick enough to shovel, so removing it shouldn’t have been much of a problem. Temperatures in the single digits during the day and negatives at night prevented the ice and snow from melting into water and going into storm drains, so it took a lot longer to get rid of the slush. The Equinox sees this problem as easily solvable; plow away the slush from the main pathways. If there is monitoring of the paths and a general upkeep of the walking areas, then students won’t have to worry about any slipping and falling.
The campus could also increase salting or sanding the walkways on campus after blizzard conditions. Foot traffic quickly kicks away the rock salt used, and can be ineffective if not kept up with.
Overall, snowy conditions aren’t easy for anyone. Winter is a tough season to get through especially when you have to walk to class. The Equinox hopes that everyone is safe in this weather, and that in the future, KSC can improve the after-blizzard snow maintenance.