Mid-evening Sunday, Jan. 25, Slippery Rock University’s already-frozen campus began to accumulate snow as an intense winter storm moved through Western Pennsylvania. By the time the storm ended, more than 15 inches of snow covered campus and the surrounding town, leaving roads, sidewalks and parking lots buried.
Due to unsafe conditions, the university moved classes asynchronous for Monday, Jan. 26 and Tuesday, Jan. 27. As of midweek, large amounts of snow remain on campus, and many students and staff are still working to recover.
Student experiences during the storm varied widely. Some felt prepared after stocking up on food and supplies ahead of time, while others struggled due to limited access to transportation or campus resources.
“I felt very prepared,” one student said. “My mom was really concerned and, even though I already had what I needed, I went back to Walmart to get wool socks and thermal pants.”
Others took simpler steps.
“Yes, I grabbed extra food items Sunday night,” another student said, while one added they “bought food at Rocky’s prior to the snowstorm.”
However, not all students felt ready.
“Absolutely not,” one respondent said. “We were using buckets to clear the driveway until we finally got a shovel.”
Another student shared that relying on a meal plan made the storm especially difficult, saying, “I didn’t feel that prepared… it was very difficult for me to eat.”
Several students pointed out that a lack of shovels was a major issue, especially for commuters.
“It’s hard for college students to face a storm like this because we don’t own shovels to dig out our cars,” one student said. “The roads being plowed just buried our cars more.”
Accessing food during the storm was also challenging for some. While many relied on campus dining, Boozel Dining Hall and Boozel Express were often crowded and picked-over.
“Boozel being the only dining hall open was awful,” one student said. “Every time I went, it was filled to the brim with people.”
Others turned to the Happy Bus, delivery services, or long walks. One student shared that they had to walk to Dollar General, calling it “a 25-minute walk,” while another said icy sidewalk conditions made even short trips dangerous.
Despite the challenges, students found ways to pass the time while snowed in. Many used the days to catch up on schoolwork, watch movies or spend time with roommates.
“We’ve been playing Xbox and hanging out,” one student said. Another described the storm as a rare moment of beauty, saying, “It felt like being inside a snow globe.”
When asked for advice, students emphasized preparation and safety.
“Make sure you have a shovel before the snow hits,” one said. Others encouraged stocking up on food, dressing warmly and avoiding unnecessary travel.
One response summed it up simply: “Don’t risk your life coming to class.”
As cleanup continues, some students believe additional time off may have been necessary, especially for commuters and those whose cars remain buried. While opinions differ, the storm left a clear impact on daily life at SRU and highlighted how differently students experience extreme weather on campus.
