Dining hall and security staff still needed despite inclement weather

WRITTEN BY: RYAN SILVERTHORN

A snowstorm recently hit Temple University coating the streets and sidewalks with layers of ice and snow. For some students, this seemed like a great excuse to stay inside, watch Netflix, and maybe get a head start on some work. However, the inclement weather posed as a threat, particularly for commuters. Although some students may live on or around campus, students who commute to the university – even on weekends – faced an even bigger challenge.

News stations in the tristate area were saying how unsafe the streets were for driving and, by extension, how unsafe the sidewalks were. Yet, the staff of Temple University had to work their way through the storm since dining halls were still open and the campus still needed security.

However, when the security staff was asked about any measures that Temple had taken to make sure the staff was safe they said that they were unaware of any plans that were implemented or even conceived. The security staff, that is meant to keep the students of Temple safe, was made to make their own ways to their homes in the reported blizzard.

However, the dining hall staff was accommodated with rooms at an inn just off campus, though it was not Temple that provided the housing. Sodexo, the catering company that is contracted with Temple to run the dining halls, provided most of the managers of the dining halls with rooms. According to Rob, a manager of the J&H dining hall, the managers and staff were “given rooms at the Conwell Inn.” Others made plans with friends who were close to campus. Rob said that he had a friend that lived a few blocks from campus and decided to just stay with him for the weekend.

The snow is already melting making way for workers and commuters alike, but this does raise a valid point that Temple administrators should start talking about. Should Temple provide more help for their workers in case of emergency situations such as these? Some would say yes because they are asked to come in even in such harsh conditions as, for example, blizzards.