Purdue News

January 7, 1999 Snow-choked campus, city to greet returning students WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- The thousands of Purdue University students returning to West Lafayette for Monday's (1/11) start of the spring semester will encounter driving and parking problems because of snow-packed streets and parking lots. Administrators are urging students to leave cars home if possible. Those who do drive should allow extra time to find alternative parking. "We urge all returning students be patient and flexible as we continue to dig out from our recent heavy snow," Bill Coghill, director of safety and security and chief of police, said. "Common sense and courtesy also will go a long way as the campus gears up for the new semester while we cope with the aftereffects of the snow." Purdue is making arrangements for students to park cars on cleared lots to facilitate further plowing of city and campus streets, Coghill said. Additionally, West Lafayette officials are making the old Sears parking lot and the old McDonald's parking lot in the Levee area available for students. Students coming back to campus this weekend are encouraged to park in campus parking garages, which will be available without restrictions until 7 a.m. Monday (1/11). Coghill said A, B and C parking-permit holders will be able to park in the north third of the parking lot north of Ross-Ade Stadium or the gravel lot north of the football practice field. However, vehicles in the stadium lot must be moved before men's and women's basketball game days next week -- by 5:30 p.m. Tuesday (1/12), Wednesday (1/13) and Friday (1/15), and by 8 a.m. Saturday (1/16). Non-permit holders may park on the Grand Prix track or the parking lots at the Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex off Cherry Lane. Shuttle bus service will be provided from the golf course and stadium parking lots to central campus drop-offs next week. Coghill said C-permit holders should consider using the large, cleared lots northwest of police headquarters in the Terry House and south of the Grounds Service Building. Any vehicles that need to be towed will be taken to the soccer field at the west end of the intramural fields, he said. Purdue and West Lafayette police urge motorists not to park along University Street to facilitate continued curbside snow removal. Coghill said that pedestrians on campus should allow extra time and use sidewalks as much as possible. If pedestrians must walk on streets, they should face oncoming traffic. They should wear layered clothing and appropriate footwear, and keep hands and head covered. He said motorists should clear all snow and ice from windows, mirrors and lights. They should be alert to pedestrians and exercise extra caution. Motorists should use off-street parking as much as possible, and should not park on streets if spaces are filled with snow. He said vehicles obstructing traffic, fire trucks and other emergency vehicles will be towed. Source: Bill Coghill, (765) 494-8221 Writer: Greg Zawisza, (765) 494-2086; e-mail, greg_zawisza@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page