Whether you love or hate winter weather, all can agree that central North Carolina has experienced an unprecedented couple of weeks. But thanks to committed essential staff and a responsive facilities team, it’s been an unforgettable time for Spartan students who live on campus.
Ice, Ice, Baby
Spartan “snowmageddon” began on Jan. 24 as the Triad region braced for Winter Storm Fern with forecasts of ice and threats of power outages. What started as freezing rain on Saturday vacillated between snow and bouncing balls of sleet through Sunday. Fortunately, the trees and power lines were not badly affected. However, the campus was covered in approximately two inches of snow and ice. And unlike typical North Carolina winter accumulation, this would stick around for a while as overnight temperatures dipped into the teens throughout the week.
Even before the storm arrived, UNCG staff sprang into action, making sure students living on campus stayed safe. Students staying on campus were instructed to move their vehicles to the decks to make the roads easier to clear. Facilities Management crews salted roads and walkways, Housing and Residence Life (HRL) staff planned for essential workers to stay on campus to serve students, and Spartan Dining stocked up to ensure there would be food no matter what the storm brought.
“Within Facilities, we had multiple meetings with leadership and staff to assure all available equipment, supplies and personnel were available when needed,” said Jon Soter, Director of UNCG Facilities Operations. “In accordance with our winter storm plan, the first priority was to provide safe access from the residence halls to Moran Commons, followed by providing safe access to all the buildings on campus for faculty, staff and students.”
Snow & Ice Removal
By the Numbers:
226 facilities employees
9,800 man-hours clocked over 10 days
7.5 miles of streets cleared
150K feet of sidewalks cleared
40 acres of parking lots cleared
Don’t Worry Be Happy
Thanks to the University’s careful planning, students and their families didn’t have to worry. When lingering ice on the roadways moved classes to remote for most of the week, the students’ biggest concerns were being stuck inside during the bitter cold.
These worries were swiftly mediated by UNCG Coordinators of Residence Life (CRL), who arranged for pop-up events like Jaden Simmon’s music bingo at the Haywood Clubhouse with Italian ice refreshments, Gabrielle Burrow’s DIY coffee pop-up for North and South Spencer residents, and Allyson Walker’s work–out class at Tower Village for students who missed the gym.
More than 30 students in Cone Residence Hall played Grocery Bingo as they waited for the ice storm to arrive on Saturday, Jan. 24. CRL Yahira Robinson planned the event to assuage her residents’ fears about running out of snacks during the storm. Seven winners walked away with full bags of groceries and all who participated left with at least one snack to eat over the weekend.
Robinson also planned a Mocktail Monday pop-up that drew a crowd of 50 residents. “Students just wanted a way to feel connected while having virtual classes and being stuck in the halls during the snow,” she said. This week, she’s planning to lead an exercise class in the Cone Dance Studio, where participants can learn a beginner-friendly version of the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders’ Thunderstruck routine.
Let it snow
The campus remained under Condition 2 for most of the week, with non-essential staff and classes operating virtually. But before students, faculty and staff had a chance to catch their breath, local meteorologists were forecasting another approaching storm. Winter Storm Gianna arrived on Saturday, Jan. 31, bringing snow totals that reached 10 inches at UNCG.
Unlike the previous weekend’s ice storm, this was the kind of dry, fluffy snow that North Carolinians see every 20 years or so, and it fell constantly from the early morning until after dark. Without the threat of power outages and under the care of essential staff, who had been keeping the campus safe and warm all week, the effects of Gianna brought out the kid in everyone. Students and staff alike marveled at the white blanket of snow that transformed the campus into a magical sight.
Student Brittany Jarrell couldn’t wait to sled and make a snowman with her friends. Not everyone had a sled, so they got creative. Jarrell’s CRL, Robinson, grabbed a storage tote and lid from under her bed, and the group headed to College Ave to hit the slopes.
Katie Stern, a first-year from Greensboro, could’ve easily gone home during the storm but says it never crossed her mind. “I’ve been on campus for all the snow days,” she said. “My friends and I have had a blast!”
Snow and ice accumulations from both storms led officials to keep classes remote for another week, as the University continues to operate under Condition 2 through Saturday, Feb. 7. It’s a smart decision for a region that isn’t equipped for heavy snow removal, and one that keeps the safety of staff and students the ultimate priority.
(Getting By) With A Little Help From My Friends
Throughout both storms and despite suspended employee operations, Spartan Dining kept Fountain View Dining Hall and other campus restaurants open to feed students and the hardworking staff who spent days clearing pathways and keeping everyone safe. Student associates stepped up to cover for employees who couldn’t travel safely to work.
Hot Meals Served by Spartan Dining:
First Storm: 6,970 over 4 days
Second Storm: 5,100 over 3 days
Irakoze Mireye, a student associate at Panda Express, called it a sign of unity. “Coming together and helping students eat is what we are here to do,” she said.
“The past two weekends were tough with the storm, but our team really came together,” one student associate said while on shift. “I’m proud we could still serve the UNCG community and be there when it mattered.”
Story by Becky Deakins, University Communications.
Video by David Row, University Communications.
