Despite road closures, canceled classes and the shutdown of most restaurants and offices around the University, the dining halls stayed open to feed the students still living on campus.
The 459 Commons, The 5, the Take 5 convenience store and the 459 Outtakes store were open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. both snow days this week, serving as a primary source of fuel for students as the temperatures dropped below freezing.
Ruby Williams, a stir fry cook at 459 Commons, said her drive home after work Tuesday night was difficult because of ice and road closures.
Despite the challenges of driving to and from the campus, Williams said she felt good about being there for the students.
“We had to be here to make sure the students get fed; most students couldn’t go home because of the weather conditions,” Williams said.
Paris Bailey, kinesiology freshman, said the people who work at the dining hall were kind to students and made them feel “homey.”
LSU President F. King Alexander said he was thankful for the dining hall staff’s efforts to be there for students.
Alexander said he was hesitant to announce the cancellation of classes last Friday because of the danger of students feeling tempted to drive home in the icy weather for a three-day weekend.
However, for students living on campus without cars, the campus shutdown had more effect.
Julia Huff, mechanical engineering freshman, said if the dining halls had been closed, she would have had to eat ramen noodles in her dorm room.
“It’s convenient and nice to be able to walk here and get food,” Huff said. “It’s really helpful if you don’t have a car.”
Monique Cockerham, an employee at The 5, said it took her three hours to drive to campus from her home Wednesday.
“I went down Nicholson and there was a roadblock there, so then I went down River Road and there was a roadblock there,” Cockerham said. “Finally, I had to backtrack and get on Highway 73 to Highland. I hate being late.”
Her coworker at The 5, Michael Carter, said the dining hall employees were told only to come in to work if they could, and safety came first.
Billy Ray Dew, engineering freshman, said he didn’t know what he would have done if the dining halls had been closed during the snow days.
“I don’t know where I would eat,” Dew said. “I don’t have a car and even so the ice is extremely slippery, so I’m thankful.”