Monmouth has been hit with a near record of snowfall this winter, and there has seemed no end in sight. The powdery white stuff that makes elementary school kids giddy with the potential for cancelled school, at the same time brings a frown to the faces of college students, who must trudge, slip and slide all the way to class.

In the beginning of the season, most students at Monmouth were excited about the snow and the fun to be had. Students were seen in and around campus sledding and fooling around. Now in January and February, students moan and groan as local weather reports continue to call for more and more snow.

Despite the best efforts of the maintenance staff, patches of ice are still present around campus. Freshman Trevor Newton recalls crossing campus with a frame he made for his “wonderful girlfriend,” when the ice attacked him, sending the frame flying from his hands and to the ground, where it was chipped. “It was really frustrating,” exclaimed Newton.

Junior Josh Jacobs, who had enjoyed the snow in early December, has now become frustrated, stating, “What is most frustrating is the standing water all over the place; instead of walking straight through places I have to walk around these giant ponds. I am always taking the long way around.”

The sheer amount of snow has drained the fun out of seeing the ground turn white. As Newton put it, “I have to admit at first I did a couple of snow angels, but now it has become a nuisance trudging through the snow all over the place. I love the winter but hate the ice.”

The group entrusted with the cleaning of Monmouth College’s sidewalks has had a lofty task of removing a near record amount of snow, slush and ice. According to Earl Wilfong, director of facilities management, there have been over 29,400 pounds of salt spread around the campus sidewalks. “We plan ahead when ordering salt...we have used 12 pallets of salt this year....49 bags to each pallet....50 pound bags,” said Wilfong.

The individuals that are responsible for clearing the College’s sidewalks are: Jeff Steele, Belinda Hall, Billie Anderson, David Thorton, Randy Sensabaugh, Kevin John, Greg Gilliland, Kellie Nelson and Bruce Crawford. These individuals each serve on the utility staff.

Also helping with the de-icing of campus is the ground crew that includes: Tom Lydic, Terry Morris and Gary Sheese.

According to Wilfong, when more than four inches fall, the trades staff is called in for extra backup.

The Monmouth College campus is covered by about 5 acres of sidewalks which makes for a daunting task for clearing. This task can be overwhelming, even for a crew that works throughout the day and night.

Because of the intense weather conditions, there have been places around campus that students have had to navigate around or through. Junior Crystal Chalkey commented, “The hill between North and Graham is always icy; it is very scary trying to cross just to get to my car.”

Needless to say, all of the snow this winter has left many students hoping for warmer and greener days. Junior Paige Halpin mentioned, “It was fun to play in the ice and snow, but now I just want to be able to sit outside in the green grass…but there is none.”

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