As forecasts of Winter Storm Juno grew more and more serious, Connecticut College students and staff began preparing for the worst. While students gathered friends, snacks and made strategic plans to consume as much Netflix as possible, other preparations were being made. The Dining Services and Facilities and Grounds Management teams were in high gear, focused on ensuring that students would be kept safe and fed, and campus would be accessible throughout the storm.
Preparing for a winter storm is always a challenge. Mother Nature has mysterious ways and the weatherman’s predictions, ranging from three inches to three feet, can be frustrating to plan around. When planning for the storm Ingrid Bushwack, Director of Dining Services, explained that weather conditions and forecasts are continually monitored so they can do their best to predict the staff’s ability to come into work, and how to accommodate them if they’re unable to make it back home. As the storm progressed Monday evening, it was clear that members of Dining Services and Facilities and Grounds Management would be spending the night, working around the clock to keep the campus functioning and the students fed.
For those staff who need to spend the night to ensure their own safety, Dining Services provides cots, mattresses and some pillow and blankets. While the staff usually brings all items they find essential for staying overnight, Blizzard Juno’s rapid onset left many staff members unprepared. Fortunately, Maurice Tiner ’17 was prepared to step in. Trudging throughout campus Monday night, Maurice collected blankets and pillows from students to distribute to staff members who weren’t expecting to be spending the night at Conn.
According to a Dining Services staff member, many people volunteered to stay, rather than being asked to spend the night, leaving the decision up to the workers. The ability to make this decision has varied with different administrations in the past. Support and provisions for those spending the night have fluctuated over the years. This storm was a return to how things used to be several years ago, in that staff were provided with some toiletries and mattresses in addition to being paid for their time here over night.
While the situation may seem unappealing to most, Bushwack explained that the staff members had “great attitudes and even though this was disruptive to their own lives, they made it seem like a slumber party.” Not only did the dining staff remain positive about the experience, they also proved their commitment to students and the overall Connecticut College community. This Thursday SGA passed a resolution recognizing the staff for their selfless contribution through Winter Storm Juno. Bushwack, who was present for the passing of the resolution, held back tears as she explained some staff members walked five miles through the snow in order to get to school Wednesday morning and prepare the food. In addition, other employees ignored the driving ban in place in New London and Waterford to be sure they would be able to provide breakfast for hungry students.
Umrysz is perhaps one of the most admired staff members in Dining Services. With several appearances on social media, students are perpetually thankful for Honora’s dependable compliments each time they enter the dining hall. Honora, always reliable for a pick me up, sustained her positive and heart-warming attitude when reflecting on her night at Conn. She explained that though they were being paid to stay, “we were all equal and treated the same, both supervisors and everyone else. We had fun.” Perhaps the highlight of the evening for the Staff was watching as students ran into the Fishbowl with nothing but underwear and proceeded to make snow angels. The fourteen members spending the night could respond in no other way to this sight but with a rowdy applause.
Many dining service employees consider students to be like their own children. With this attitude, they demonstrated their dedication to their work and to the college itself. Valentina, another beloved staff member, after sleeping at school for two nights, explained, “You’re my kids, I need to make sure you are fed, it’s my job.” Honora shared similar sentiments commenting that “people have been thanking us, and it’s been nice. But, when I had kids in school I would have wanted to know that there were people looking out for them.”
In addition to keeping students fed, the College ensured that the roads and sidewalks were being cleared as quickly as possible, the power remained on and heat sustained throughout the houses. Jim Norton, Director of Facilities Management, attended the SGA meeting expressing a “thank you for the thank yous.” Facilities often receive the brunt of negative feedback, from broken doors to clogged toilets, but the past few days they have been inundated with thanks, something they seldom receive. John Lanzione, a Facilities staff member explained that “the kids here say thank you and they’re all phenomenal. Other places kids wouldn’t say thank you, but here they do.”
While the staff worked tirelessly, students gathered to find creative ways to thank them. From napkins notes to SGA resolutions to a thank you video, the students are attempting to thank the staff however possible. Ulysses Hammond, Vice President for Administration stated that “we were all in this together” students and staff alike, and “without students’ cooperation with parking bans the college would not have been able to address the roads and sidewalks as well as they did, so thank you.”
While students and staff continue to express their thanks of one another it’s clear that the community we’ve all worked hard to establish and foster here is one that can withstand a great deal. Directors and administrators are proud of their staff’s ability to endure not ideal situations at the cost of others, and as students are attempting to express their gratitude, they continue to feel as though it’s simply not enough. From the student body, we express our sincerest thanks to Dining Services Staff, Custodial Staff, Facilities Management Staff, Grounds Crew, the Offices of Student Life and everyone on the emergency response team who ensured that students were comfortable, safe and able to make positive memories. •
