Students battle icy weather conditions

Sleet covers the sidewalk on the Lower Quad Tuesday. Despite slippery conditions, St. Thomas did not cancel classes. (Jake Remes/TommieMedia)
Sleet covers the sidewalk on the Lower Quad Tuesday. Despite slippery conditions, St. Thomas did not cancel classes. (Jake Remes/TommieMedia)

St. Thomas students faced icy conditions after a mix of snow and sleet fell Tuesday morning.

Despite the slippery roads, the university did not cancel classes, and St. Paul did not declared a snow emergency. Josh Hengemuhle, program director for Off-Campus Student Services and Orientation for the Dean of Students Office, said students should be aware of possible cancellations but still be prepared to attend classes.

“It’s always better to assume to come to campus,” Hengemuhle said. “As a general rule, check your email before you leave.”

Hengemuhle said it’s also important for commuter students to be aware of snow emergencies and their effects on parking near campus.

“It’s something to be on top of, and again, the City of St. Paul has a notification system of text messages, emails and those kinds of things,” Hengemuhle said.

In addition to icy roads, students also battled slippery sidewalks on their way to class. Freshman Conor Kinney said he had a few close calls.

“I almost slipped and fell like eight times. I am not a coordinated man,” Kinney said.

Despite the conditions, sophomore and Florida native Zach Lang said he was excited that it finally snowed.

“It’s already cold, so why not just bring the snow,” Lang said. “Then you can have fun and make snow angels, make snowmen and have snowball fights.”

Sophomore Claire Sayers said the snow brings beauty to the cold winter day.

“Otherwise winter’s kind of pointless because it’s just cold but not pretty,” Sayers said.