OUR VIEW: Shoveling: it’s a dirty job, but somebody’s got do it on campus

Tuesday’s downpour of snowflakes layered Logan’s busy streets with over two inches of snow. Unfortunately, for those who don’t enjoy the snow at least, this is just a sign of many more winter storms to come. However, as the winter season progresses, Utah State University students are doing their best to adjust.

They are layering themselves with more and more clothing and winterizing their cars. But there is one thing that is difficult to adjust to on campus that will be a thorn in our sides if it’s not taken care of soon: shoveling the sidewalks on campus.

Although the facilities crews on campus are working hard, many of the sidewalks remain covered with snow. As more and more students pack down the snow, the sidewalks gradually turn into ice, making USU’s on-campus winter experience very unpleasant. The steps into individual buildings especially pose particular hazard. Steeper staircases like those leading to the Kent Concert Hall are of particular concern.

In addition, many of these icy walkways can be a hazard to students rushing from building to building for their classes. The large snowplows inching through campus aren’t enough. If the sidewalks are scraped properly the first time without leaving a small layer to turn into ice, it will make living through these cold months much easier.

It may be difficult to plow all of the sidewalks all day long, but the risks are too great to take to leave too much for too long.