In the Pacific Northwest, it’s safe to assume snow will fall a few times between November and February every year. It’s a fact of life. It’s why most residents have all-season tires and keep snow scrapers in their cars.
However, it seems that snow and inclement weather always catch large institutions off guard. It’s almost like there is no preparation or consideration for weather forecasts.
During the first week of January, days after the last snowfall, Moscow’s roads were still covered in unplowed snow. The university campus was covered in ice and snow. Considering the number of university employees and Moscow community members using the roads through campus, I’m shocked the university didn’t put forth more effort.
There are several roads, like Blake Avenue, Elm Street and Nez Perce Drive, that are steep and well-used. The roads only get worse when snow and ice are added to the equation.
University presidents have many different interests to serve, but the most important interests are that of the students. I want to know the leaders of my university care about my education and my well-being. University of Idaho President Chuck Staben has been able to accomplish some cool things that benefit students and the state of Idaho.
But could we get some attention to student safety?
I have always walked to campus, even during the winter. So it’s confusing to me, knowing that most of my peers also walk to campus, but the University of Idaho doesn’t clear all sidewalks. The heated walkways are great. But once I leave a main route through campus, there’s little to no maintenance being done.
Walking from the Administration Building to the Lionel Hampton School of Music is incredibly dangerous. It’s down a hill, under trees where melting snow drips down and then freezes, leaving layer after layer of ice.
Every time I’ve fallen on campus, it’s because there was a patch of ice that was left untreated.
It’s not just the campus that becomes a safety problem — it’s the well-used sidewalks surrounding the campus.
Like I said, many college students walk to campus. So Lauder Avenue, Taylor Avenue and their side streets are high-traffic areas, yet they are never cleared of snow.
According to Section 9-3 of Moscow City Code, it is the adjacent property owner’s responsibility to clear sidewalks of snow.
Moscow is a frequent guest on lists ranking the best college towns in America. In my opinion, a college town deserving of such a ranking should place a high emphasis on a community’s safety — meaning Moscow should enforce this section of city code.
This is the Pacific Northwest, and there’s crazy weather here. UI, and Moscow, should be fully equipped to handle this weather.
Tess Fox can be reached at [email protected]