SMU crews clearing icy campus sidewalks and roads

SMU crews have spread close to 10,000 pounds of chemical 鈥渋ce melt鈥 across the campus over the past three days, Bob Casagrande, SMU Director of Facilities Services, said Thursday.

SMU crews have spread close to 10,000 pounds of chemical 鈥渋ce melt鈥 across the campus over the past three days, Bob Casagrande, SMU Director of Facilities Services, said Thursday.

Another 7,500 pounds arrived听Thursday morning听and more is expected Friday.

SMU police warned, "Anyone walking on campus should use extra caution. Walk slowly, use handrails and watch for icy patches.鈥

SMU crews first treated porches on campus buildings,听walkways from the residence halls to food services buildings听and the area around the campus police station.听 Crews then moved to treat other walkways and common areas.听 Today they are doing curb cuts and accessibility ramps.

鈥淲e鈥檙e trying to find sand, but supplies are low because there is such a huge area demand for it,鈥 Casagrande said.

鈥淭he roads are the hardest part.听 The colder it gets, the more difficult it is for the chemical to do its job because it melts the ice, which then refreezes.鈥 Casagrande said. 鈥淯ntil the temperature gets above 32 degrees,听it will be difficult to clear the roadways and sidewalks.鈥澨

As the inclement weather continued, SMU was forced to close its main campus and SMU-in-Plano听through Sunday听because of hazardous driving conditions听across North Texas.

Although most campus offices听are closed, a few facilities have remained open to serve students, including:

  • Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports is open until midnight.
  • Mac鈥檚 Place is open until听7:30 p.m.
  • Umphrey Lee Dining Hall is open until听7 p.m.
  • Fondren Library is open until听6 p.m.

SMU student flying a kite in the snow on the main quad Snow falls 天美传媒 in February 2011

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