Snow Removal

When snow and ice hit campus, Facilities Services Landscape, Residential and Campus Services partner to ensure the well-being of students, faculty, staff and visitors. As campus workers clear sidewalks, steps and parking lots, cooperation from the University of Chicago community is key in keeping snow removal safe and swift.

Helpful hints for a safe winter at the University of Chicago

In order to minimize the risk of slip and fall injuries due to icy and slippery surfaces, the following measures are in place:

  • Landscape services removes snow and applies ice melt to campus sidewalks, parking lots and building entrances.  Campus and Residential Services clears snow and applies ice melt to entrances and ADA ramps at Residence Halls and Residential properties. 
  • Landscape Services and the Transportation & Parking department clear parking lots.
  • Call 773.834.1414 to report an area in need of snow or ice removal on campus. 
  • Employees are encouraged to use the main entrance of a building during a snow event, which will often times be the ADA entrance as these are cleared as a first priority.
  • Safety is our priority during inclement weather. Use caution when navigating campus during a snow event.

Simple ways to help the snow and ice removal process

  • If possible, park in the plowed areas to help snow removal workers quickly clear the unplowed areas without navigating around vehicles.
  • Avoid chaining bikes to signs. Not only is doing so illegal on campus, but it also creates obstacles for snow removal equipment.
  • The ice melt application takes some time to take effect. It is an effective method, but the results are not instantaneous. 

Facilities Services uses organic accelerator for snow and ice removal

Landscape Services uses a sugar beet byproduct, commonly referred to as beet juice, as part of the de-icing process. Normally this sugar beet waste material is dumped down the drain, but it offers benefits when combined with salt for application on icy entranceways and sidewalks. In addition to its environmentally-friendly characteristics, the beet juice allows for the salt to become effective quicker, even in colder environmental conditions, than traditional, untreated salt.

See the Snow Removal FAQ if you have identified an area that needs snow removal attention.

How Do I?

UChicagoSocial: Facilities Services