2008 Woodie Awards
Surviving in a storm; Colby's Dining Services plans ahead during bad weather
Robin Respaut
Issue date: 3/24/07 Section: News & Features
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It is probably safe to assume that for most Maine college students, an impending snow storm is exciting news. The weather channel boosts in local ratings, skiers wax their equipment, and the creative among us start constructing makeshift sleds. As the storm descends, the sky erupts in a white, frosty fever, and the groundcover follows with similar symptoms. In the particularly effective storms, as occurred on the first Friday of March, the College sends home all nonessential employees, many professors cancel class, and the majority of the student body exudes jovial glee for an unexpected day off. But what happens to the "essential" employees that must remain so that students can still trudge through the campus's white-walled paths to veg out in the dining halls for the snowed-in evening?
"Well, we really have to plan ahead," Roberts Dining Hall Manager Heather Vigue said. "Being proactive means that I need to shift schedules the day before a storm to make sure only those who can travel in snow are expected to come in." This means that employees like Bob's beloved Vera are taken off the schedule, since she doesn't drive in snow. "It's a bit of juggling act with making sure that the right number of people are on and the catering is done a day early, but it's essential in order for this place to run straight."
Still, in the thick of the storm, sometimes managers like Vigue face a pinch. "I know supervisors themselves will sometimes pick up employees if they can't get out of their driveways," she explained. Problems can occur when trying to leave campus as well.
Terry Landry, manager of Foss Dining Hall explained that during the debilitating snow storm earlier this month his closing supervisor, who could not make it back to her home in Pittsfield after her late shift, bought a hotel room in Waterville for the night. "Sometimes people will offer one another rides or call taxis to get home. But say, when the taxi company stops running, we have trouble," Landry said.
"Well, we really have to plan ahead," Roberts Dining Hall Manager Heather Vigue said. "Being proactive means that I need to shift schedules the day before a storm to make sure only those who can travel in snow are expected to come in." This means that employees like Bob's beloved Vera are taken off the schedule, since she doesn't drive in snow. "It's a bit of juggling act with making sure that the right number of people are on and the catering is done a day early, but it's essential in order for this place to run straight."
Still, in the thick of the storm, sometimes managers like Vigue face a pinch. "I know supervisors themselves will sometimes pick up employees if they can't get out of their driveways," she explained. Problems can occur when trying to leave campus as well.
Terry Landry, manager of Foss Dining Hall explained that during the debilitating snow storm earlier this month his closing supervisor, who could not make it back to her home in Pittsfield after her late shift, bought a hotel room in Waterville for the night. "Sometimes people will offer one another rides or call taxis to get home. But say, when the taxi company stops running, we have trouble," Landry said.
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