By Lyndsey Gilpin
Last week, the view out any of the icy cold windows around the University of Louisville’s campus could not have been less inviting.
The freezing temperatures, ice covered sidewalks, stuck vehicles and mounds of snow made most students want to stay inside and curl up in bed.
But, after several days of the same indoor routine, many students began to become stir-crazy.
Luckily, the Student Activities Center (SAC) kept its doors open during the difficult days after the storm. Their hours were shortened and some restaurants were not always available, but the SAC offered another place for students to retreat to if they needed power to charge cell phones, heat, food, or just something to do.
Taylor Distler, a freshman finance major, enjoyed the break but became bored quickly.
“Sitting in my dorm all day made me crazy. The snow didn’t stop me from going to the SAC,”said Distler. “It was great that they kept it open because I work out almost every day over there.”
Many other students took advantage of the time off to use the gym at the SAC as well.
“My Internet and cable were out, so I went over to play basketball a lot last week.” said Ben Henry, a junior bioengineering major.
Although its hours and options were limited, the SAC restaurants proved to be very helpful during the storm.
“When the snow hit, I just stayed in my dorm for a while. But I rely on the SAC so much for food, I don’t store a lot in my room,” said Kate Daily, a freshman political science major. “Having it open was really great. Otherwise, I would have had to go out and spend money I don’t need to spend.”
Other students, such as freshman CIS major Justin Bishop, took advantage of the SAC’s restaurants as well.
“I was hungry and I was concerned about my safety,” said Bishop, “so I didn’t want to drive in the icy conditions.”
Bishop also attributed staying on campus and eating at the SAC to the slick roads outside, something that freshman Corey Anderson, a psychology and biology major, was concerned of as well.
“I didn’t have anywhere to go,” said Anderson. “The roads weren’t safe and I didn’t want to put my life in jeopardy.”
While the entire center wasn’t open, it seems as though every little bit counted this past week for many students and staff, along with their families.
“I feel like there was little open, but with the conditions it was nice to have what they had open,” said Bishop.
The administration had placed out the “welcome” mat to local residents as well. Adviting neighbors in to get food, a shower and warmth.
-Catherine LaRoche also contributed to this story.
