Weather Alert!!

Anybody who has spent any amount of time in Maryland knows that the weather here in the winter is anything but predictable. As we head into the winter season, be sure that you know everything there is to know about commuting to campus.

Here are a couple tips to help you out:

1. First, if you are questioning if campus is open in the first place, you can check out weather alerts online at http://www.umd.edu/emergencypreparedness/weather_emer/. This is the website that updates our campus on all the safety concerns. You can also call 301-405-SNOW (405-7669).

2. Make the determination if you can make it safely to campus from your house. Campus Facilities Management does the best they can to prepare the roads and sidewalks for ice and snow fall. But you know how your car handles the roads and you need to make sure that it can make the trek.

3. Try to avoid the beltway and other highways during bad weather. There is guaranteed to be an accident. Try the Greenline Metro to College Park and then catch the 140 bus to campus. It runs every 10-15 minutes from the Metro Station to the Stamp Union as long as the train is running.

4. Watch out for bad areas on and around campus. If you are coming in on 193 by UMUC, the exit onto campus drive from 193 (parallel to Graduate Hills Apartments) can often by VERY icy in the left lane. Try to avoid that lane at all costs as you may not be able to break as you come over the hill. This section is noted in this image to the right by the portion of road that has "The Inn and Conference Center" typed over it.

5. If you park in Lot 1, beware of the area between the tennis courts as you head towards Cole Field House. This area is often icy even if Facilities has tried to clean it up. Also, the hills and steps around Cole Field House may be a hazard.

Do you have any other suggestions for getting to campus during bad weather or know of any other hazardous locations to walk if you are commuting to campus?