DeKALB | With several snowfalls already this semester, the NIU Grounds Department has been sufficiently occupied clearing sidewalks and parking lots.

It gets ready for incoming snow by checking the weather radar and weather notices on campus from meteorologists.

“We check our snow blowers and make sure that they are all greased up and have enough oil and gas before we use them,” said Darryl Grayson, interim superintendent of Grounds.

In preparation for last week’s snow storm, Grounds cleared snow from 6 a.m. to about 9 p.m. on days when necessary.

“We have to keep heading out in order to keep up with the snow that hits the sidewalks on campus,” Grayson said. The parking lots usually don’t get cleared up right away, due to students filling it up from going to class, so the lots are cleared at nightfall.

Grounds must remove snow from the Kishwaukee River to Campus Cinema to the Convocation Center, which amounts to about 360 acres, Grayson said.

The grounds crew staff consists of 19 workers, significantly fewer than when Grayson started working for NIU about 20 years ago, when the crew had 34 workers.

“Now there are less people and more area to take care of,” Grayson said.

One drawback to getting rid of the snow is potholes in the sidewalks.

“After the snow eventually thaws out, we fill the holes right up to prevent any possible accidents,” Grayson said.