As last weekend's blizzard paralyzed much of the mid-Atlantic region of the country, the College experienced difficulties with cars being left in designated snow emergency lots.
Approximately 40 vehicles parked in Lots 3, 4, 5 and 8 were not moved, according to Campus Police.
The College's snow removal plan is enacted when three inches of snow or more have accumulated on the roads and parking surfaces on campus.
During the winter months, the commuter parking lots by the student center are considered snow emergency lots. As such, from Dec. 1 until March 31, overnight parking is prohibited in case of snow.
The hours when parking is prohibited are midnight to 6 a.m.
"These lots are designated snow emergency lots because they are primarily commuter parking lots," Ray Nesci, professional services specialist for Campus Police, said.
"As such, they must be clear in the event of overnight snow so that commuters have a place to park in the morning."
Cars in these lots could potentially block the progress of plows working to clear snow. If Grounds and Landscape Maintenance Services finds vehicles blocking the plows, Campus Police will attempt to notify the owners "if practicable," according to the Snow Emergency Plan.
"We have information about this posted on the motor vehicle regulation webpage," Nesci said. In addition, signs are placed at the entrances of these lots notifying drivers of the policy.
Regardless, many students either disregarded or weren't aware of the policy and had to be contacted by Campus Police. Residence Life staff members were contacted, and signs were placed in dormitories across campus telling students to move their cars to lots 6a or 6b.
"The cars remaining in the lot were spaced out enough so that most of the plowing could be accomplished," Nesci said. Campus responds to offending vehicles in a number of ways, according to the snow emergency plan.
A first offense results in a warning. The second brings a $50 fine. The third time, the vehicle is booted and the driver loses his or her driving privileges for the remainder or the semester, as well as the following semester.
