Every year on the first snowfall, anticipation is thick in the air. Everyone is excited to forget daily life stresses and reminisce on childhood. Everyone is out, there are ample opportunities to drink hot cocoa and social media is filled with pictures of snowfall. However, after the fun wears down, and the next day rises, Dickinson’s perpetual problem appears: a lack of plowing. 

Dickinson’s lack of plowing was especially prominent this year after Pennsylvania’s January winter storm. According to U.S. Today, Harrisburg saw an unprecedented fourteen-inch snowfall in one day; Carlisle was not far behind.

As I trudged to class the day after the snowfall, I noticed how much snow remained, especially within the ATS Parking Lot. Inches of snow and ice were heavy under me and my stack of books. With Britton Plaza being closed for HUB renovations, many students, particularly in the lower quads, rely on the ATS parking lot to get to classes and the HUB. This lack of plowing created significant difficulty for everyone, but particularly those in the lower quad dorms. 

Not only was getting through the ATS Parking Lot a significant challenge, the sidewalks became an obstacle course as well. While most sidewalks were salted and plowed, however this presented a problem as the snow pushed to the side of them began caving in onto the pathways. As you made one step forward, the snow would cover the tracks behind you—almost as if it was chasing you. After battling the parking lot, the sidewalks and the extreme cold, it felt like getting to class was impossible. Of course, the amount of snow was unprecedented,but there was also nearly a two-week notice of what was to come. 

In preparation for the next major storm, there needs to be changes. While no plowing job will ever be perfect, there needs to be significant improvements for student safety. A suggestion would be a mandatory car removal of ATS prior to the storm so Facilities can salt the entire lot, including parking spaces. Snow and ice removal on main sidewalks and ramps needs priority as well. If there is more preparation, the feeling of contentment with snowfall would remain among the Dickinson population for longer.