Ice and snow on campus cause falls, injuries
Wednesday’s big snow left two people injured from falls on campus. Sgt. Lynn Wright of the Utah State University Police Department said an individual had hurt an ankle and had to go to the hospital after falling on the ice on the east side of the Technology building Wednesday morning. Another individual popped out a knee after slipping that morning. This time of year walking on campus can be hazardous, said Darrell Hart, assistant vice president of Physical Plant. Hart said he sees students who wear leather shoes having a hard time in the snow. “Make sure you are wearing shoes that grip,” Hart said. He suggested people give themselves plenty of time going to classes. “It’ll be slick, so be careful,” he said. Hart also said walkers should look for places that don’t drain and will melt and then freeze again, becoming slick. When a certain amount of snow falls, USU Police notifies the Physical Plant, Hart said. The first priority is that snow on main sidewalks and streets gets removed. Magnesium chloride is also put on the streets and sidewalks to help snow melt, Hart said. When students do fall and get injured, the university is generally not liable, said Ken Peterson, director of the Risk Management Office. “It’s not an automatic conclusion that we’re liable. We can’t be responsible for everyone who falls on campus,” Peterson said. Peterson said students understand there will be hazards on campus because USU does receive snowfall, and with 10,000 students on campus at any given time there will be accidents. “Basically our student body is understanding, forgiving and flexible. They are good about it,” he said. If there is a place that needs clearing, Peterson urged people to call Customer Service at 797-1947.