Public relations senior Katya Achkasova said it snows more than half the year where she came from.
The Russian native recalls snow from November through April, and so fresh snowfall on campus Monday wasn't much for her to deal with, she said while standing outside the Natural Science Building.
"I love it," she said. "It's really nice. I feel like a snowman," Achkasova said, referring to the gray scarf, hat and mittens keeping her warm.
As students cope with the snow, which the National Weather Service said could continue today, so does MSU Grounds Maintenance. More than 40 workers were patrolling campus early Monday morning, removing snow from roads, parking lots and pathways.
Building service workers such as Carrie Modzelewski also keep campus as easy to navigate as possible during the season's first significant snowfall. At Mason Hall she used a large shovel to clear the steps and sidewalks outside the residence hall.
Modzelewski said she wished the snow had fallen over Thanksgiving - when she had the weekend off.
"I did it this morning when I first got here," she said, annoyed at having to labor in the cold afternoon snowfall. "It sucks shoveling snow."
But other campus workers were happy to see the white stuff.
"We love it," MSU Landscape Service Coordinator Steve Frank said. "It's a challenge and every snow is different. It's one of those exciting times."
Frank said this snowstorm was nothing compared to a storm in 2000 that dropped 2 feet of snow during finals week. Nevertheless, the grounds crew started arriving as early as 4 a.m. Monday, but it did not clear all the campus snow because of the morning rush hour. Consequently, Frank's team planned to be on the road at 2 a.m. this morning.
New snow-melting equipment also will arrive to MSU today, he said. Caliber, a corn-based alternative to salt, will get its first use on campus roads soon. Frank said he saw cities like Detroit using it, so he thought the product would be good for MSU.
The salt MSU currently uses can melt snow as cold as 12 degrees Fahrenheit, while Caliber can burn snow off in temperatures as low as minus 50 degrees. The new product also reduces fogginess by 33 percent and makes salt stick to the ground.
Regardless of the increased efficiency of his team, Frank said he knows his squad will always be criticized by MSU students and faculty.
"We know there's some criticism, but some of it is unfair," he said. "We have done such a good job for many years, that they expect more."
East Lansing public works crews are often up at 4 a.m. to clear the roads after a heavy snowfall, said Angela Mabin, East Lansing public service administrator.
"We've been trying to complete leaf collection, and we've had to switch gears and go into snow removal," said Mabin.
Mabin said snow removal priority is given to the major roads that are used for emergency vehicles, but attention also is given to residential streets.
The MSU Department of Police and Public Safety was on guard for any accidents, Inspector Mary Johnson said.
There were only three accidents from 9 a.m. to 12:31 p.m. on campus - all vehicle accidents - but Johnson said there were some late Sunday night. She expected more during rush hour Monday night.
Johnson recommended bicycles and mopeds not be used because their tires are not equipped for the weather. She said cars should slow down because it takes longer to brake on ice and snow. Johnson also offered some other advice for students:
"Just because the speed limit is 25 doesn't mean they should do it.
"They should be aware of wind chill factors - that comes from a mom. Wear you hats and coats and boots."
Meanwhile, Gary Dailey, owner of Gary's Campus Hair Salon, 549 E. Grand River Ave., watched from his window as students passed by, bundled in winter clothing with their heads bowed toward the ground.
"There are less kids walking around now," Dailey said. "Usually kids will come in after class and say, 'Man, I need a haircut,' but business slows down a bit in the winter. People want to stay inside where it's warm."
