Some students at the University of Memphis are complaining that even though the roads may be clear, campus sidewalks and walkways are still unsafe.
The university opened Monday at 10 A.M., because of the inclement weather. Blankets of ice covered certain areas near buildings that did not receive enough sunlight to melt it. The general parking lots, which are usually full, were opened with an abundance of spots available for students.
“That sand that they put on the ice didn’t do any good especially if they missed a few spots. There were still sheets of ice behind and on the side of buildings, said English major, Jasmine Crowe. “I almost fell twice.”
Areas around certain buildings have been surrounded with caution tape, because they have been classified as “dangerous.”
Despite being off for almost a week, some students still believe that today should have been included in their mini snow day vacation.
“It’s literally nothing but ice between Mitchell and Clement Hall,” said education major, Justin Brookes. “I understand the roads may be clear, but the sidewalks are covered in ice. A guy fell right in front of me.”
University physical plant employees gathered on the side of the University Center and other hazardous areas to cover the slippery sidewalks with sand in hopes of covering the area enough so students will not fall.
“It should be pretty safe for students to walk on with the sand on top of it,” said physical plant worker, Darrel Greer.
Still some Students tip-toed across the outside skirts of the library, hoping to make it to their classes without being injured.
“Shelby County Schools and Southwest Community Colleges were out today, so I’m still just trying to figure out why we are here,” said engineering major, David Wilson. “Anyone can see that campus is not safe for students to walk on. Some areas may be okay, but in front every building I had to go to there was ice from the stairway to the door. It’s easy to send an email and say ‘school is opened’ when you don’t have to experience walking to five different classes from morning to evening,”
Even though some students are not happy about the decision for school to open, others couldn’t be happier.
“This weather is starting to get annoying,” said communications major, Jessica Durham. “I was ready to come back to school, simply because my professors are going to make us make up the work anyway. I’ve still had to write my papers and do homework just like any other day, so it sucks when this crazy Memphis weather snows one day then it’s 60 degrees the next.”
According to some students they did not mind the layers of ice across campus, because they could just walk simply around it.
“It’s not even that bad outside,” said civil engineering student, Peter Tran. “People are complaining, but they just will say anything so we won’t have to come to school. I think its BS, The whole campus is not covered in ice so just walk around it like I have been doing all day.”
