• Roll on, Etta Express – The Pioneers Baseball team was recently selected as the 19th best team in the country.  The pre-season poll, assembled by the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper, placed OAC for Heidelberg #14 in the polling.  Wooster, the team that won the 2009 Mideast Regional Tournament over Marietta, was ranked #2 in the nation, behind #1 St. Thomas of Minnesota.  The Etta Express will start its season in Memphis, TN over Spring Break.
• New VP Of Student Life – With the retirement of Lon Vickers this last semester, we now welcome Dr. Robert Pastoor, the new Vice President of Student life at Marietta College.  Dr. Pastoor has more than 25 years of experience in student life thanks to time spent at the University of San Diego, Carroll College, and Mount St. Mary’s University.  Dr. Pastoor will start around January 18.
• Do I Hear Whistling? – Don’t forget that the Harlem Globetrotters are stopping in at Marietta College on January 26.  Doors open at 6 PM, and the game starts at 7 PM in Ban Johnson Arena on Fenton Court.  Tickets for Marietta College students, staff, and faculty are $19.  Tickets are $22 for the general public, and can be purchased at any People’s News location in Belpre, Marietta, and Parkersburg.  If you’re more the online type, tickets can be purchased at www.ticketweb.com.
• CUB Events Now Known – Well, they wern’t very public about it, but the College Union Board has dates and times posted for all of their music, comedy, and tournament events for the Spring.  You can find them on our master calendar, along with all the Basketball and Baseball Games and other college events.  CUB’s first musical act of 2010 is The Heyday, a band from Denver that is currently touring the nation.  They are currently allowing their CD to be downloaded for free online, so check it out and come out for the concert.  They’ll be playing Friday the 15 at The Gathering Place at 8 PM.  CUB Comedy kicks of with Mike Winfield on Saturday the 16, also at The Gathering Place, at 9 PM.  As mentioned before, for a full schedule, check out the Writing on the Mall calendar and watch for pieces highlighting the acts.

Ice is going to be building up throughout the night, causing dangerous conditions for students who are lucky enough to have morning classes.  Just keep your safety walking tips in mind and stay safe…unless the college does cancel classes tomorrow.  But the college hasn’t taken a snow day in 40 years.  The last day of classes missed was a couple years ago when a transformer blew and campus had no power for a couple days.

So odds are low on not having classes tomorrow.  But be safe no matter what guys and gals.

A winter storm watch has let us know that there is the potential for five or more inches of snow over the next few days. The Physical Plant is ready to act to keep walking surfaces cleaned and treated. But, this is still a good time to remind us all that caution, planning, and staying alert will help prevent winter slips and falls. Please consider the following guidelines:

• Try to wear shoes that support your foot and provide a solid foundation.
• Non-skid soles are recommended.
• Try to wear bright, light colored or reflective clothing. It will make you more visible to traffic.
• Be aware when crossing the street that cars may have trouble stopping on ice.
• Resist the temptation to take the well worn short cut across the lawn. It may be packed with snow and ice and probably will not be treated.
• Take shorter steps and walk at a slower pace.
• Stop occasionally to break the momentum.
• Give yourself sufficient time to reach your destination.
• Watch for “black ice”. (extra thin, nearly invisible ice)
• Try not to carry too much of a load.
• Use handrails when you are on steps and plant your feed firmly on each step.
• Be prepared for a fall and think about safe falling techniques. (Do not lock your arms. Round your back and tuck your chin if falling backwards, etc.)
• When you finally reach your destination, clean off your shoes at the door and watch for wet floors.

The Physical Plant will be doing their best to keep sidewalks and steps cleared of snow and ice, but we would remind you of the following information:

• During normal working hours faculty, staff, and students can call ext. 4790 or 4791 to report areas that need to be treated or retreated.
• After normal working hours call Campus Police at 4611.
• While it is not expected that you self help with ice and snow removal, there will be salt boxes at the entrances to most of the campus buildings that have steps. The Physical Plant staff treats the surfaces with that salt. However, if there is immediate, emergent conditions people are welcome to use the salt until Physical Plant staff can reach the area.

While your drive won’t be as bad as it was for those of us who trekked through the blizzard that hit Ohio last Spring, expect areas of light to moderate snow as the day progresses through most parts of Ohio.  Just keep both hands on the steering wheel, the defrosters on high, and both eyes on the road, and there’s no reason why you shouldn’t have a safe, simple drive.