Extreme cold and unexpected winter weather patterns have battered states across the country over the past few days. On the Hill, temperatures Wednesday morning fell to minus nine degrees, but, despite the dangerous cold, students bundled up to make the trek down a tundra-like Middle Path to Peirce Dining Hall and classes. While freezing winters are a consequence of going to school in Gambier, Ohio, Kenyon should take precautions to protect students’ safety in cold weather.

Due to students tracking snow indoors, the floors near the entrances to buildings can get dangerously slippery, particularly the area around the metal seal in Peirce. Large mats should be laid out in the entrances of major buildings to avoid slippage and limit the amount of water, salt and mud that is tracked in for custodial staff to clean.  

Middle Path and other major throughways need more salt. While we are confident that maintenance staff are working hard to keep roads cleared and paths safe, many walkways are still sheets of ice, proving treacherous for students to tread on. And, as many students suffer injuries from sports, treks on ice are all the more dangerous for those on crutches. Regular re-salting of walkways is a must, but we also suggest that maintenance staff provide rock salt near major residence halls, apartments and faculty buildings. This way, students and faculty may assist in keeping pathways safe by sprinkling a bit of salt where they can. 

Frostbite can happen in less than 30 minutes, according to the National Weather Service. While there are no places on campus that require that long of a walk, someone heading back to North Campus from the Lowry Center could take at least 20 minutes. In icy conditions, walking back in the dark can be especially dangerous.

Considering that not all students have the same access to warm clothing, the Office of Campus Safety should offer night rides during extreme temperatures. While we certainly do not expect officers to be on call to provide 24-hour ride service to students, under extreme weather conditions and after nightfall, it becomes unsafe for students to walk such long distances. In these cases, Campus Safety should provide rides for students who are traveling across campus, particularly those that have practices ending as late as 10 p.m. 

While the icy weather can be demoralizing, warmer days are ahead. In the meantime, bundle up!

Sincerely,

Annalia, Audrey and Katie

This editorial was written by editors-in-chief Katie Sparvero ’25 and Audrey Baker ’25 and managing editor Annalia Fiore ’25. You can contact them at sparvero1@kenyon.edu, baker10@kenyon.edu and fiore1@kenyon.edu, respectively.