SCRANTON — Cold temperatures and heavy snowfall have put a damper on student life and athletics at the University of Scranton.

With spring semester move-in corresponding with below zero temperatures, many students felt the mood on campus shift in a negative way.

On Jan. 25, two days before the first day of spring classes, substantial amounts of snow hit most of the tri-state area. According to the National Weather Service, parts of Scranton recorded up to 14 inches of snow and surrounding areas reached around 20 inches.

The snow created difficult conditions for move-in, forcing the University to ask students to arrive later on campus to allow the custodial staff time to plow parking lots and streets. Some students driving back to the University had to adjust their schedules and travel plans.

Julia Cavallero, a junior psychology major, had strong words about the conditions of the roads and sidewalks when arriving to campus and walking to class.

“I came back over break and pulled onto campus to a complete mess. Nothing was plowed,” Cavallero said.

Cavallero arrived on campus after driving three hours from her hometown in Howell, New Jersey. She felt the street conditions in New Jersey and on the main roads were considerably better than the roads in Pennsylvania.

“I understand because of the amount of snow you’re not going to be able to really push it anywhere but at least try to make the sidewalks a little clear,” Cavallero said.

Students’ social lives have been affected because of the colder temperatures. According to the National Weather Service, frostbite can occur in just 30 minutes when wind chills reach below zero degrees and the skin is exposed. Cavallero is avoiding any chance of frostbite by changing her normal college routine.

“I have no desire to go outside and walk in the cold for anything that is not essential to my daily life,” Cavallero said.

Students commuting to classes and clinical sites also shared concerns about road conditions. Sophia Ruspantini, a junior nursing student, has to travel 30 minutes for her clinical rotation and worried about getting to the hospital safely.

“We are leaving 30 minutes earlier than when we normally would because of how bad the roads looked,” Ruspantini said.

The snow also affected the start of spring sports. Sports like lacrosse, baseball and softball had to push off practices because of cold temperatures. NCAA rules do not allow athletes to practice below zero degrees.

Claudia Huber, a junior on the track and field team, runs the women's 400-meter and the 200-meter. She said the performance she had, along with the rest of her team, is a direct reflection of the recent weather.

“Normally, we have at least 10 to 15 personal records. We only had four this meet,” Huber said.

With continued cold temperatures and potentially more snow, coaches and students have had to adjust their lifestyle for the current climate.

Cavallero hopes the University and the city of Scranton can be prepared for the next big snowfall.

“Please plow the snow because it will make my life so much easier,” Cavallero said.