Despite many student complaints that sidewalks and parking areas are not clear before they head to campus after snowstorms, the university says priority must go to other areas of campus before these spaces can be addressed.

"Everyone wants to have their parking lot done first," Paul Ruskin, Office of Physical Plant (OPP) spokesman said.

Ruskin said OPP uses a snow-clearing schedule that gives top priority to University Health Services, located in Ritenour Building, loading docks at dining commons, handicapped ramps and other areas that cater to the disabled, and fire hydrants.

Areas open on campus 24 hours a day also get a higher priority.

"It is a very well thought-out plan," Ruskin said.

Snow removal on campus is divided into three jurisdictions.

Janitorial crews clear snow from buildings, landscaping crews clear sidewalks and central support personnel plow university roadways.

Ruskin said crews must work hard to keep up with the 23 miles of sidewalks found on campus.

Workers also usually try to start as soon as possible after a storm has peaked to maximize their efforts and to get sidewalks cleared before students reach campus.

Crews began work at 11 a.m. to clear the snow from Tuesday's storm.

The same crews started work at 3 a.m. Monday to remove the week's first snowfall.

"At the end of each storm, our personnel are exhausted," Ruskin said.

He also said this season, it is particularly hard to keep sidewalks free of snow and ice.

The especially cold temperatures the area has experienced cause salt to become ineffective.