Let it snow

Campus 'snowbusters' primed for winter's worst

When the weather delivers a one-two punch, a special group of TU employees is itching to fight back.    

They're the folks who work when the university closes in the wake of a major storm--the grounds crew, maintenance, auto shop, trades shops, housekeeping, police and Dining Services staff who report for duty as many of us are grabbing a few extra winks or heading home early.

“Clearing campus roads, walkways, steps and parking lots after a severe winter storm can take days,” says Harry Hughes, director of the Physical Plant. “It's grueling work.”

He adds that his crew will be able to clear the campus more efficiently this winter, thanks to funds allocated by Senior Vice President and CFO David Harnage for additional equipment--including three truck-mounted and six tractor-mounted plows--and extra supplies.   

Hughes is confidant they're up to the task. “There are a lot of maintenance managers and support staff involved in dealing with a major storm, but these workers provide the muscle that gets the university up and running again.”  

TU's 2005 snow-removal arsenal includes

96 shovels

85 tons of salt

40 TU staff members, ARAMARK employees (if needed) and two student employees

36 ice choppers

30 tons of environmentally safe de-icer

18 de-icer spreaders

22 walk-behind snowblowers

10 tractors (including two backhoes)

8 truck-mounted plows

1 off-campus snow-removal contractor (if needed)

Story by Jan Lucas/Photo by Kanji Takeno

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