Digging Out
Utah State University was closed Monday for the second time in 20 years due to sever inclement weather.
According to the National Weather Service, Logan City had two feet of snow by late Monday afternoon.
Salt Lake City, on the other hand, received less than an inch of snow.
The storm was attributed to a stalled cold front. It drifted into the valley and stopped.
“Too bad we can’t order this much snow every day,” said James Marshal, a junior majoring in chemistry who spent the day with friends snowboarding and skiing in the new powder.
Ellen Newell, USU landscape manager, said her crew went in at 4 a.m. Monday. Each member worked approximately nine and one-half hours each. Then, the crew came back between 11 p.m. and midnight to get ready for Tuesday.
“Students should realize not everything is perfect yet but we will be coming in early tomorrow and it should be better,” she said.
According to Policy 507, University Closure, “If severe weather, emergency or special circumstances occur, the director of Physical Plant and the director of University Police will assess circumstances and conditions and make a recommendation to the provost and the vice president for Administrative Services.”
Steve Mecham, chief of University Police, said he made the recommendation at 6 a.m.
Mecham said the police called the Facilities crew to clear the parking lots and sidewalks.
The policy also states, “After evaluating the recommendation and supporting information, the provost and the vice president for Administrative Services will recommend full or partial closure or alternative actions to the president or his/her designee. With the approval of the president or his/her designee, the closure or alternative action will be initiated.”
Many students took the opportunity to go play in the snow Monday.
“I thought there may be a chance they would close school,” Marshal said.
He had two early-morning tests and said he was glad for the chance to postpone them.
Two girls spent their day on a horse.
“We just ride around, help sledders up the hill,” Melissa Shipp, a sophomore music major, said.
She said her horse never got stuck in the snow like the cars were.
“This is crazy, this is cool,” Danette Allen, a senior pre-med biology major, said.
Graduate student Amy Johnson, an employee at Facilities,helps clear snow from the steps of Old Main. (Zak Larsen )