Winter on Campus

Top Seven Tips to Surviving a Michigan Winter

Written by Breana Noble

Predictions are that this year’s winter will include colder temperatures and more snowfall than average. Hillsdale Security is already on top of the game, preparing students for the cold weather, by sending out email reminders every so often. Director of Safety and Security William Whorley gives readers his top seven tips for staying safe this frigid term:

  1. Wear flat shoes: “Heels make it tough going.”
  2. Leave early: “It takes a little longer to put on a winter coat. This winter when the weather gets worse, snow has accumulated, and parking lots are restricted because we’ve lost several lots due to construction, leave enough time to find a spot. If you’re a block and a half from school, walk.”
  3. Be careful about frozen pipes: “Even on break, and it’s 10 below here, you don’t want to risk having a flood when you come back. Get someone to watch your house or apartment for you or your landlord.” For students living in houses off campus, the thermostat should not be set to below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Allow faucets to trickle to keep water moving.
  4. Bundle up: “Hat, scarf, heavy coat – all good.”
  5. Call Security for a ride: “This is a big one, and I’ve been championing this since I got here: if you are uncomfortable going back to your dorm, call us. We will give you a ride.” If it’s really bad outside, call Security at 517-398-1522, and they will give you a ride back to your residence.
  6. Help out Security: “If you find a slippery spot, let us, let housekeeping, let maintenance know. Students can email about these sorts of issues.”
  7. Start your car frequently: “I jumped five cars one day. If you don’t start your car every so often, eventually it won’t start. It makes your life easier for it to start immediately.” If you have a car on campus, start it every three to four days.

Breana Noble is a freshman at Hillsdale College and plans to study Politics and Journalism. She writes for “The Collegian” newspaper at Hillsdale and works as an assistant in the Hillsdale College Athletics office. Breana is also involved in Swing Club, Young Americans for Freedom, College Republicans, and “The Nest” Bible Study.