The University of Iowa

Snow and Ice Removal Procedures

Winter Weather Conditions at UI: Snow and Ice Removal

Our Mission

As the weather gets colder, snow and ice will begin to affect the University of Iowa campus. Landscape Service's goal is to remove snow and ice from traveled surfaces in order to provide safe pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

Accumulations of snow and ice will be removed as expeditiously as practical during and after storms within the parameters dictated by weather conditions, available manpower, equipment resources and budget constraints.

Snow Removal Maps

Several departments on the UI campus are responsible for snow removal in their respective areas. View the snow removal and route maps below to see which departments are responsible for different areas of campus.

Snow Removal Map

Snow Priority Map

 

Report an Access Issue

Snow or ice preventing access to a building or another part of campus?

For all non-police emergencies, call 319-335-5071. For all other requests, use the FM@YourService portal:  

FM@YourService


Refer to the options below for more options to report issues.

View the general procedure statement for snow and ice removal at the University of Iowa: Snow and Ice Procedure Statement for 2023-2024

Reporting snow and ice removal-related access issues

1. Reporting a non-police emergency

Call 319-335-5071 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You will be directed to the FM@YourService desk or the Department of Public Safety.

2. Contact the Building Coordinator

Building Coordinators have information and access to FM and can help resolve any snow and ice issue relating to their building. Find a list of Building Coordinators here.

3. Send in a request through the FM@YourService portal

Requests for service are processed through the FM@YourService portal. The portal is connected to other offices on campus (Parking and Transportation, Department of Public Safely, etc.) so that requests can be channeled in an efficient way to the correct offices.

4. Request specific accommodations through dedicated offices

Student request for specific accommodations
Employee request for specific accommodations

Snow Removal Process

Snow removal process by landscape services

For more on snow and ice removal, see the Landscape Services Management Plan

Snow Removal Equipment

Landscape Services deploys an arsenal of tools in its battle against the snow and ice: two front-end loaders on services drives and parking lots; nine skid loaders and four converted mowers (Polar Trac machines) on sidewalks; and six pickup trucks and two large snow plows on the streets, loading docks, and parking lots.

Electric snow melt systems have been installed beneath some building entrances, steps, and ADA ramps to help prevent slip hazards. These systems are located at the Dental Science Building, Main Library, Pappajohn Biomedical Discovery Building, Medical Education Research Facility, Visual Arts Building, Field House, Pappajohn Business Building, Lindquist Center, and the Engineering Annex.


Sand/salt mixture

In 2010, Landscape Services began using an environmentally friendly mixture of salt infused with beet juice on pavement near building entrances and stairways. The product performs about 30 percent better than rock salt alone, reducing the number of applications and quantity needed. In addition to being effective against snow and ice, it also helps to reduce corrosion of concrete and damage to vegetation.

Snow Removal at the UI

In the 2021/2022 winter season, our Landscape Services teams spent over 6,000 hours removing snow on the University of Iowa campus.  In this video, Scott Gritsch, director of Landscape Services, walks through some of the statistics and logistics of keeping our campus safe during the cold, snowy months.

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UI extreme weather policy

Whenever possible, the University of Iowa continues to function during inclement weather and follows its Extreme Weather Protocol. However, students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to use good judgment and avoid serious risks in traveling to campus or in attending classes. Notifications will go out if classes are canceled. For more details, see the UI Operations Manual.