Slips, Falls, and Ice: the Downside to Winter

College students have experienced slips, falls and the dangers of black ice as they make their way to class.

 Due to the large amount of snow that has fallen over Amherst in the past week, University of Massachusetts students have had two snow days and a delay.

            “I’d rather get snowed on than rained on,” said Dean Ludgate, a sophomore Communications major at the University of Massachusetts in light of the recent flash blizzard. Ludgate and his friends, Paul Sobchenko and Gila Goldstein shared their sentiments on the recent onslaught of snow while sitting around a table at the library.

When asked whether they liked the snow, Sobchenko, a junior environmental science major, said, “Yea, I love it!” to which Goldstein replied “As long as it doesn’t turn to ice in the day time.”

            Goldstein, a sophomore natural resource conservation and public heath double major at UMass, described trying to get to her dorm in Orchard Hill, which is often a struggle for students in slippery weather.

            Goldstein, who was with a friend during the  flash blizzard , said “Initially we were just going to walk up the hill but we decided we didn’t want to risk falling.”  As an alternative, Goldstein and her friend waited extensively

            “UMass needs to put down more salt.  I mean, I’ve almost fallen like four times,” said Kassie Madore, a sophomore communications disorders  major.  Madore expressed concern about walking to her job at the Recreational Center early in the morning because she’s worried about slipping on black ice.  “I know I’ll fall eventually,” she said.

“I haven’t fallen yet, but I will,” Madore’s friend Rachel Keane, a sophomore English major, said, sharing Madore’s concerns.  In addition to more salt, Keane wants the university staff to do a better job shoveling.  “They don’t shovel the stairs to by my building,” she said. 

“I was walking and it started snowing,” said Keane.  “I got snow in my eye, and my contact was sticking to my eyelid.” Her sentiments  matched those of some of the other students when they walked out of class at one o’clock today to find a surprise flash blizzard.  

Snow came down hard and fast as students rushed between buildings. The campus sits, covered in snow, waiting to see how UMass will handle the new load of fresh powder.

Whether students love or hate the snow, they share the sentiment that spring needs to come soon. Sobchenko said “ Kind of sick of winter for a little bit,” and remarked about how he is looking forward to spring break.

Rachel Keane in her winter gear

By Lauren McArdle, Shelby Ashline, and Molly Gately