Snow Removal

There is a great deal of information and resources regarding snow removal and curb-to-curb transportation options at MSU. Spec-Tran, operated by the Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) may be an option to consider if large volumes of snow or ice are predicted. Pre-planning is necessary to access this service; however the addition of curb-to-curb transportation, along with the use of fixed-route service can ease travel concerns in extreme weather. The 34, 35, 36 and Night Owl service may also be an option to add to your repertoire of travel choices during winter evenings. Access the CATA website at www.cata.org for more information regarding transportation options.

The MSU Physical Plant and Grounds Maintenance Department are MSU's two primary partners responsible for snow and ice control in support of the University's daily academic operations, conferences, sports events and evening programs. This must often be accomplished under extreme weather conditions and involves work on approximately 50 miles of roads, 100 miles of sidewalks, 26,000 parking spaces, and over 130 acres of parking areas for a daily community of up to 55,000 people. Grounds Maintenance is responsible for first clearing roads (activated by the MSU Police Department), then parking lots (snow fall above 2"), snow priority routes for residence halls/disability routes (beginning at 5:30 am), the exterior areas of paved CATA bus stops, priority sidewalks (5:30 am), and the continued clearing of sidewalks and curb cuts on campus. The priority sidewalk clearing maps are posted on the Grounds Maintenance web page at www.grounds.msu.edu.

If you encounter areas where snow removal has not been sufficient on sidewalks, MSU bus stops, or pedestrian crossings, please report the area using the “comments” box at www.grounds.msu.edu or call (517) 353-1760.

All residence halls are responsible for clearing entrance sidewalks, ramps and curb cuts in and around the immediate area of the residence hall entrances. If you are experiencing difficulty with snow removal at a residence hall, report the problem to the residence hall manager. If the problem persists, please contact the RCPD.

All academic/administrative buildings on campus have custodial staff and a safety committee. Custodial staff and the safety committees are responsible for the interior halls and entrances to the buildings. They can also be made aware of "hazards" outside of buildings, i.e.; slippery sidewalks at entrances, snow blocking automated doors or sensors, and ice or snow on ramps. If there is a "hazard" in an academic/administrative building, go to the nearest office and request to speak with an office manager, or safety committee representative. Report the problem (wet entrance in need of a mat, snow piled in-front of the automated door, etc.). Have the manager or representative contact the custodial staff to resolve the problem. If the custodial staff does not start work in the building until after hours, have the manager contact the MSU Physical Plant, and they will send someone to address the problem.

If there is an emergency or you become stranded in the snow. Contact East Lansing dispatch at (517) 355-2221 (after hours is extension 1) or 911, and an officer will be sent to assist. If you experience repeated difficulty in an area of campus, and you have reported the area but the situation is not resolved, contact the RCPD.