Groundskeepers keep campus safe for students

ZANESVILLE, Ohio-  Many schools canceled school today due to the icy roads. Even Ohio University Zanesville-Zane State delayed classes until noon.

Classes not starting until noon was to allow for the roads, sidewalks, and parking lots to be cleared before a majority of students and faculty had to be out around campus. Groundskeeper II Dallas Pulley said crews have been out clearing the roads since 4 A.M.

“Our number one priority is our students so, that’s what we look at when we come out here to clear the lots and do everything. To get clear, as best as possible, so we can get the students in here,” said Pulley.

Pulley said the large amount of ice makes it harder to plow then if it was just snow. He said the combination of snow, rain, and ice makes clearing the parking lots much harder.

“If you get snow and then you get rain on top of it, it makes the snow twice as heavy to get off. Sometimes we’ve been out here, I’ve been doing it for 21 years and actually had to plow twice. Take one skim off and then go back in another skim to get down to the asphalt. That’s how bad it’s been before,” said Pulley.

Pulley said the groundkeeper crew working together allowed them to keep the roads, parking lots, and sidewalks as clear as possible throughout the day.