A combination of freezing rain and strong winds damaged the western face of the Bizzell Memorial Library clock tower Dec. 24.

Students Holly Dyer and Alex Crosby said that, while on their way to the library during intersession, they saw the shattered remains of the clock tower’s face “scattered everywhere” all over the plaza.

While most students and faculty said they don’t use the tower to tell the time, they almost invariably noticed the missing face upon walking by it. Many said they considered it a landmark, or at least an important part of the campus landscape, due in part to its visibility on much of the campus.

Norman business owner Steve Wilson noted the absence of the clock face as he was walking by, and referred to the clock tower as “traditional.”

The tower is the site for many campus events, including the Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations scheduled Thursday.

Repairs are on the way, Amanda Hearn, Physical Plant spokeswoman stated in an e-mail. “It will take significant time to manufacture and ship the much-needed replacement; however, we expect to complete the repair in approximately 60 days.”