For the fourth time this semester, students at Oakland University woke up to an unexpected snow day, as another winter storm forced campus-wide closures. With another round of heavy snowfall hitting this past weekend, the college issued a snow advisory requiring all vehicles to be parked in designated areas or under covered structures. While some students welcomed the extra time off, others are growing frustrated with the repeated disruptions to their schedules.
“I love snow days, but seeing as midterms are next week and a lot of my professors are behind, I wish Michigan’s weather would cooperate for just a few more weeks,” sophomore Allie Michewicz said. “It’s nice to have a break, but I also feel like it’s messing with my routine and classes, especially since some professors still pile on work.”
The new advisory, put in place ahead of Saturday, Feb. 16’s storm, aimed at preventing vehicles from being buried under the anticipated snowfall. Campus officials urged students to move their cars before conditions worsen, warning that failure to comply could result in towing or fines. The advisory came as part of broader efforts to keep campus safe amid what has become one of the snowiest semesters.
“I received the email and immediately went to move my car due to the traffic,” freshman Heather Czekai said. “I get why they’re doing it, but it’s just one more thing to worry about when we’re already dealing with so much snow.”
While snow days often bring excitement, many students are beginning to feel the impact of the several cancellations. The unpredictability of the weather has made it difficult for students to establish a consistent routine.
“I feel like I haven’t had a full week of classes since the semester started,” Czekai said. “At first, the snow days were fun, but now I just want things to go back to normal.”
Campus services are also adjusting to the frequent storms, ensuring that essential facilities like dining halls and residence life remain operational. Additional maintenance crews have been working around the clock to clear sidewalks, salt roads and keep paths safe for students who still need to navigate campus. However, the ongoing snowfall has made it difficult to keep up with the demand.
“The sidewalks are getting cleared, but they’re icy again within hours,” Michewicz said. “I nearly slipped twice just walking to the dining hall yesterday.”
Local meteorologists predicted that the storm could bring an additional two to three inches of snow, with high winds creating whiteout conditions. Many reconsidered their Valentine’s weekend plans as road conditions dwindled.
“I was planning to go home this weekend, but now I don’t think I’ll risk it,” Czekai said. “The roads have been so bad lately, and I’d rather just stay safe on campus.”
As more snowstorms loom, students are bracing for what could be yet another disruption in an already unpredictable semester. Whether the snow days are a welcome break or an inconvenience, the record-breaking winter has left its mark on campus life. Now, the only question is, how much more snow can the semester handle?
