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 hard work.”

Hughes is confident that his snowbusters are 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 snow-removal arsenal

96 shovels
180 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)

Be ready for weather-related delays, closings and other emergencies by reviewing TU's Emergency Closing Policy.