From syllabi to sleet: Ice Storm Disrupts Life at NGU
Treasure Hardwick, News and Feature Editor
Photo Courtesy of Kaelum Armstrong
Just as students at North Greenville University began to settle into the rhythm of a new semester, a winter ice storm swept through Greenville from Jan. 30-31, disrupting classes, travel and daily routines across the campus.
When meteorologists predicted about an inch of ice to fall and widespread power outages across the upstate, NGU students were faced with the decision of whether to return home or to hunker down and brave the storm in their dorm rooms.
As the storm approached, NGU officials encouraged students to leave campus.
In a statement sent students, the university said, “Residential students on our Tigerville campus are encouraged to return home on Friday afternoon if possible. Those who remain on campus will receive frequent alerts as the storm unfolds.”
The school attached a form to the statement for students staying on campus to fill out. This form allowed the school to have a head count in case of an emergency.
While most of the student body returned home, McKenzie Taylor, Coordinator for Residential Services, reported that 205 students remained on campus during the storm.
According to The Greenville Post and Courier, meteorologists predicted freezing rain could leave up to an inch of ice of power lines and roads, which raised concerns over power outages and travel conditions.
After the storm, the National Weather Service’s Upstate office, which is based near Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, recorded 0.29 inches of freezing rain and 1.3 inches of sleet from the storm. At the storm’s peak, 40,000 homes and businesses across the Upstate were without power.
On campus, one Chinquapin House temporarily lost power, although service was restored before evening.
Following the days after the storm, sleet remained piled on the roadways and ice stuck closely to the ground. Temperatures dropped to morning lows of 16 degrees, which prolonged hazardous conditions.
In an effort to ensure student safety, classes were canceled the following Monday and Tuesday after the storm.
By midweek, melting ice and improved roadways allowed campus activities to return to normal. Classes resumed the Wednesday that followed the storm.
