Law School Community Finds Shelter from the Ice Storm at Leflar Law Center

Many members of the University of Arkansas School of Law community, including students and faculty members, made the law school their "home away from home" during last week's devastating ice storm in northwest Arkansas. The law school building had electricity for the duration of the storm, and it provided a safe haven for dozens whose homes were without heat.

The ice storm shut down classes at the University of Arkansas beginning on Tuesday, Jan. 27, after freezing rain and sleet pelted the northern region of Arkansas. It was the 19th time during its history that the university has cancelled classes as a result of weather. Classes continued to be cancelled through the end of the week, the first time in the university's 137-year history that classes have been suspended for more than two days in a row because of weather.

Although much of northwest Arkansas was without power, most of the university campus had electricity, heat, and water. Essential staff served meals to students who live on campus, and workers in department of facilities management began the arduous task of clearing the sidewalks and streets across campus. Classes resumed on Monday, Feb. 2.

About the imge: Private contractors cleared the area along Garland between the old University Museum and the Leflar Law Center. The large water oaks near the law center lost limbs but appear to have survived the storm.

For more information about the ice storm, including photos and video, visit http://www.uark.edu/rd_vcad/urel/iceStorm2009/.

Contact:

Andy Albertson, director of communications
School of Law
(479) 575-6111, aalbert@uark.edu