I have a science lesson for the people who run plows around Lot 83N: One foot of fresh, fluffy snow spread evenly over the ground melts faster than hard-packed ice and snow piled many feet high.

Here's another tip: Plowing a parking lot does zero good if you just move snow out of the driving lanes and pile it several feet deep behind each car, ensuring that those cars will not move until it is sunny for a month -- or until somebody shovels the snow, putting it right back where it came from.

And finally, using the plow to pick up snow and deposit it in such a way that it is actually leaning against a car, putting several hundred pounds of force against it, is absolutely unacceptable. There is only one word for this type of activity: vandalism. With a parking permit costing what it does, it is absolutely ridiculous for students to have to wonder whether they will be able to get their car out of the parking lot; or worse, whether it will be damaged by our friendly neighborhood plow driver. If these plow drivers cannot find it within themselves to show the slightest respect for student property, their employment should be terminated.

Whomever runs this show needs to realize that all the plows are doing is making it harder for students to get their cars out, even if it is under the guise of being helpful.

There are better ways my dollars could be spent.