BOONE, N.C. — A winter storm dumped 16–20 inches of snow on the Appalachian State University campus and the surrounding areas, causing meteorologists to consult the record books and students to break out their sleds and snowboards. Most of the snow fell in a 30-hour period on Dec. 8 and 9, causing university grounds crews to work continually on clearing snow from roads and sidewalks.
Appalachian re-scheduled and moved exams online that were scheduled for Dec. 10, and moved to suspended operations for employees to allow mandatory employees to focus on critical operations and keep campus as clear as possible to allow for snow removal.
A number of university employees responsible for critical services including food services, building safety and maintenance, and emergency response teams remained on campus to respond in the event of any critical or crisis situation.
Campus fared well, according to Jason Marshburn, director of environmental health, safety and emergency management, and is focusing on snow clearing and removal. “Campus experienced no major issues. The main challenge was keeping up with clearing roads and sidewalks,” he said.
“Maximum efforts are focused on returning campus to normal operations,” said Marshburn. He indicated that all campus roads and sidewalks were cleared by 2 p.m. Dec. 10. "Parking lots where cars have been parked since before the storm are the main challenge campus crews are still facing," he said, "but in all campus parking lots, drive lanes are cleared.”
The university library remained open as scheduled, in order to allow students to focus on studying for upcoming exams. Students did take a few breaks to play in the snow, sled, do some impromptu snowboarding and make snowmen.
The Weather Channel broadcast live updates from Boone during the storm, and students also took the opportunity to gather behind meteorologist Jim Cantore and wave to friends and family watching from across the country.
The university announced a revised exam schedule for Tuesday, Dec. 11 and faculty have the option to offer all exams online. Additionally, the university is lifting some parking restrictions through 7 a.m. Wednesday Dec. 12, to reduce parking challenges due to the storm.
On the early morning of Sunday, Dec. 9, Yosef Santa looks out onto a snowy Boone street. Photo by Marie Freeman
Appalachian State University campus in the snow. Photo by Marie Freeman
River Street was covered in snow on the early morning of Sunday, Dec. 9. Photo by Marie Freeman
Durham Park blanketed by snow. Photo by Marie Freeman
McKinney Alumni Center in the snow. Photo by Marie Freeman
A student walks past Holmes Convocation Center. Photo by Marie Freeman
App State Police help a stranded motorist. Photo by Marie Freeman
Students walk through the snow past Founders Plaza. Photo by Marie Freeman
Student vehicles parked on campus were snow covered. Weekend parking was extended into the week. Photo by Marie Freeman
Digging out began before the storm had ended. Photo by Marie Freeman
Students head to campus in the snow. Photo by Marie Freeman
Many downtown businesses were closed, but students were out and about in Boone. Photo by Marie Freeman
Many downtown businesses were closed, but students were out and about in Boone. Photo by Marie Freeman
Rivers Street was covered during the heaviest snow. Photo by Marie Freeman
Crews worked continuously to clear campus roads, sidewalks and parking areas. Photo by Marie Freeman
Crews worked continuously to clear campus roads, sidewalks and parking areas. Photo by Marie Freeman
Students took a break from studying for finals to play in the snow. Photo by Marie Freeman
Founders Plaza in the snow. Photo by Marie Freeman
Students took a break from studying for finals to play in the snow. Photo by Marie Freeman
Students took a break from studying for finals to play in the snow. A snow structure remains on Sanford Mall after the storm. Photo by Marie Freeman
An aerial shot of campus on the morning of Dec. 10. Photo by Marie Freeman
An aerial shot of campus on the morning of Dec. 10. Photo by Marie Freeman
Crews worked continuously to clear campus roads, sidewalks and parking areas. Photo by Marie Freeman
Crews worked continuously to clear campus roads, sidewalks and parking areas. Photo by Marie Freeman
About AppState-ALERT
AppState-ALERT is the Appalachian State University 24/7 emergency messaging system. Using a combination of text messaging, voice messaging, the siren warning system, email and web technologies, AppState-ALERT is designed to provide Appalachian students, faculty and staff with timely information in the event of a campus emergency. Cell phone, text and voice messages will be sent by the university only when an emergency exists that is considered an "imminent threat." An imminent threat is defined as a significant emergency or dangerous situation involving an immediate threat to the life and safety of the campus community. Learn more at https://emergency.appstate.edu/appstate-alert.
About the Office of Environmental Health, Safety and Emergency Management (EHS&EM)
The Office of Environmental Health, Safety and Emergency Management (EHS&EM) at Appalachian State University works in coordination with other university departments to support App State's commitment to campus safety. The office’s primary responsibility is environmental health, safety and emergency management functions across App State’s Boone and Hickory campuses. EHS&EM also coordinates App State’s on-campus emergency medical service (EMS) program, Mountaineer Medics, which provides emergency medical care and support to the App State Community. Learn more at https://ehsem.appstate.edu.
About Appalachian State University
As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.
What do you think?
Share your feedback on this story.
