Photo by Steve Fallon
Both last winter and this winter have been harsh, specifically in regards to the amount of snow Ramapo has gotten, and the bitter cold that has come with it. With the huge amounts of snowfall hitting areas around the state, many schools and other institutions have had to change their snow removal policies, and Ramapo is no exception.
A new snow removal policy was put in place at Ramapo last semester. The new policy requests that all parked cars be relocated before storms to designated snow areas, in order for the school to be able to plow certain parking areas. Most cars are asked to move to D Lot, which is close to the Village residences.
Students, regardless of whether or not they have a car on campus, have been repeatedly reminded of this through the college’s “Alert Me Now” system. These texts include a warning that if the owner's car is not moved by a designated time, the car will be towed.
When members of the student body were asked about the policy, as it most directly affects them, feelings were mixed.
Jacob Thiringer, a sophomore, gave his opinion on this updated policy.
“I think it’s a good policy because snow needs to be cleaned and moving your car isn’t a big deal,” Thiringer said.
Some students, like sophomore Alexis Duke, feel that moving their cars is more effort than it is worth.
“I definitely think it sucks, but I make a conscious effort to not lose my parking spot in the parking deck when I know it’s going to snow,” Duke said.
Facilities has been making a point to tow cars to the D Lot that have not been moved there already. Freshman Matt Earl thinks this is a steep penalty, but feels it’s easy to comply with Ramapo’s requests.
“Ultimately, I think it’s for the betterment of the campus, and though towing as a penalty is harsh, it’s the unfortunate reality,” Earl said. “It shouldn’t be that much of an issue to move your car, you know?”
Vanessa Mirasola, a freshman who has a job at home and, therefore, a car on campus, realizes that the policy has good intentions, but does not agree with the new policy.
“I think, while it aims to be a good policy, it’s a little inconvenient, because I have to park my car in D lot. The cold weather caused my battery to die the one day they asked me to move it. The threat of getting my car towed was not helpful,” she said. “Although, in the end, even though they said they were going to tow it, they did not.”
Others have commented on how snow removal has become more prompt this semester. Junior Nicole Baratta reflected on how the policy was improved since last year.
“It kind of helps because last year we were told to move our cars, and then we had to move them back, even though they hadn’t plowed it yet,” Baratta said. “They’re definitely doing a better job of it this year.”
lheckelm@ramapo.edu
