Cutbacks to Muncie's public works could result in problems for Ball State University students living off campus during the upcoming winter months.
The shortcoming was a result of lower sales from state gasoline and cigarette tax, according to the Associated Press.
The City Street Department will salt and plow the roads when needed, but because of union regulations, crews will not work overtime to clear the roads.
Concerns about Muncie's road and sidewalk conditions during the winter have made their way to Ball State's campus.
Sophomore Jackie Rowley was concerned about the condition of the sidewalks on Riverside Avenue because she does not want to trek through snow to get to class.
"I wasn't here last year, but my roommate said the roads on campus were clear," Rowley said. "Everything else was a mess."
Ball State will continue to be responsible for Riverside and McKinley avenues and will help more with University Avenue and Gilbert Street, said Kevin Kenyon, associate vice president of facilities planning and management.
"We've been doing a lot of that anyway because we have to get over to campus," Kenyon said. "The city will continue to be responsible for Tillotson and Bethel [avenues]."
Sophomore Grace Kreitl said it is too far for her to walk to campus, so she rides her bike.
"If they don't plow really well, I'm screwed," Kreitl said.
Kenyon said he did not think students would notice a difference on campus, and there would be more staffing than in the past. There will be a full crew and complement of equipment, he said.
Ball State is fortunate because most of campus can be cleared by machinery, Kenyon said.
The salt shortage prevented the university from purchasing in bulk as it has in the past. This year salt was purchased by the bag and costs a little more; however, it is more effective at cold temperatures, Kenyon said.
"I don't think what Muncie is up against will affect campus," Kenyon said.
Senior Fletcher Price said the roads are bad in his neighborhood and all the way to campus, but he has a deeper concern than the slick roads.
"There's the obvious fear in not getting to campus now," Price said.
He said when spring comes the roads will have potholes because of the compacted snow freezing and thawing, which people forget about.
"Potholes are my biggest concern," Price said. "I've popped three tires since August (on my bike) on potholes."
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