For two-and-a-half days in January, College activity came to a halt as a mighty snowstorm rumbled through the Midwest.
Faculty and students were imprisoned by the storm that shut down much of the Central and Eastern United States. The entire College was closed for half of Jan. 8, as well as two other days, as a storm more potent than any in recent years blew through Oberlin.
College President Nancy Dye ordered the school closed halfway through the 11th after the National Guard warned of impossible driving conditions. All of the school's facilities were closed, forcing students to do without Campus Dining Services, as well as Philips Gym and Mudd Library.
Tuesday Dye left Oberlin due to a death in the family; in her abscense Dean of the College Clayton Koppes shut down the college for the next two days.
Many students were inconvenienced by the school's closing and their inability to use campus facilities. Sophomore Matthew Merrins said, "It would have been nice if Philips and the library were open. The chemistry department wasn't stopped by the weather."
This sentiment was echoed by Conservatory sophomore Seth Fruiterman. "Anybody who wanted to practice in the Con couldn't get in. They barred the door," he said.
The College was not the only victim of the storm's wrath. All public schools in Oberlin were forced to close their doors. Virtually all of Northern Ohio was shut down by the powerful squall.
Finally, with students itching to get back into the library and the 'Sco, the College was re-opened on the 14th. Most students were pleased that they could once again take advantage of school resources.
"Oberlin is already pretty boring, and the storm made it worse. There was so little to do, I had to do extra work on my own," senior Starlyn Perkins said.
There were those, of course, who, living the traditional Winter Term lifestyle, were not concerned with the school's closing. First-year Felicia Lin said, "I was in bed all day. I didn't even notice [the school] was closed."
Access denied: College workers and students found locked doors and empty offices on three days over Winter Term. College President Nancy Dye closed the school becuase of hazardous road conditions resulting from snowy weather. (photo by Zach Williamson)
Copyright © 1999, The Oberlin Review.
Volume 127, Number 13, February 12, 1999
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