OU Facilities Management plans to bolster its snow-clearing abilities with new equipment in preparation for severe winter storms similar to the February and snow storms, an OU director said.
The department will invest in more snow-removal equipment such as plows, and sand spreaders to clear campus quickly, Facilities Management Director Brian Ellis said. Facilities Management’s biggest issue was the lack of equipment, not the plan to clear snow, Ellis said.
OU was forced to close school for four days after a winter storm blanketed Norman with more than 10 inches of snow and ice.
Gov. Mary Fallin declared a state of emergency before any snow hit the ground Jan. 31. Campus was closed from Feb. 1 to 4 after the storm hit. The campus was closed a total of seven days this semester due to winter storms.
The snow and ice blanketed roads presented difficulties to the university. Ellis said he saw two dozen cars stuck on the roads around campus, according to Daily archives.
Facilities Management worked long shifts to clear the campus, Ellis said.
The crews could have been home clearing their own sidewalks and driveways, but instead they were helping keep the roads open on campus to help students travel to Couch Restaurants or the Bizzell Memorial Library.
“It was a bonding moment for all of us because we were all in it together,” Ellis said.
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