Paralyzing Snow Brings Out the Best of VCU

By Gary Robertson

A paralyzing snow storm that froze much of the Richmond metropolitan area in its tracks --  dropping a decade-high 15 inches of snow in some places — brought out the best in Virginia Commonwealth University.

At the VCU Medical Center last weekend, more than 200 staff members slept over in rooms at the hospital and the Hospitality House so that critical care could be provided for more than 500 patients in the hospital for the weekend.

A surgical team performed a liver transplant on a patient who arrived from Norfolk, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit carried out two desperately needed transports, and the VCU Pauley Heart Center supported a half dozen patients.

Nearly 100 employees from all areas of the Physical Plant working 12-hour shifts – some never went home -- fanned out across the Monroe Park and MCV campuses to help clear 30 miles of sidewalks and layer 25 tons of salt and calcium chloride on slick and slippery areas.

They joined with outside contractors to scrape and clear the equivalent of 17 football fields of surface parking lots.

And they made sure that emergency vehicles could access the Medical Center and that VCU’s Homecoming basketball against Georgia State could be played as scheduled. More than 4,500 fans turned out to watch the Rams’ 78-62 victory.

Georgia State fans in Atlanta saw the game, too, even though the TV production truck from Comcast SportsNet never arrived. VCU staff improvised to serve as camera operators so the game could be broadcast, albeit as an in-house production.

With nearly 5,000 students living on VCU’s two campuses, and thousands more in nearby neighborhoods, student welfare became Priority One.

Meals at dining centers on both campuses continued to be served and leaders in Recreational Sports pulled out all the stops – even ferrying in student workers in their own vehicles -- to ensure that gyms and recreation centers were open, with more than 4,400 guests pouring in between Saturday and Monday.

VCU libraries closed on Saturday and reopened Sunday, with some staff members wading through the snow to open the doors. Well over 1,600 students showed up at Cabell Library on Sunday.
Facebook and Twitter stayed red hot with updates about what was open on campus, what was not, which Homecoming events were still on and which were postponed or canceled.

At the dormitories, Resident Assistants kept everyone occupied by hosting game nights/days, building snowmen and practicing a time-honored form of social engagement, “hanging out.”
From every quarter of VCU, voices were raised in appreciation for the efforts of so many.

Dr. Sheldon Retchin, Vice President for Health Sciences: “This storm has confirmed what we already knew. The Medical Center is a remarkable place with one of the most devoted health care teams I have ever witnessed.”

Brian Ohlinger, Associate Vice President Facilities Management: “In my view, our performance from the physical plant folks was the best we’ve ever done in a storm event.”