It’s been cold in Texas this week, to say the least.

Believe it or not, the good folks in New York City, Boston, Washington and Philadelphia saw warmer weather this week than Abilene. Snow and sub-zero wind chill factors have turned Abilene into a bone-chilling, frozen wasteland.

In fact, the Green Bay Packers had to move their practice inside in preparation for the Super Bowl in Arlington to stay out of the elements – and if the Packers think it is cold, then it must really be nasty outside.

Roads and sidewalks have blended together to form one big, slippery white path. Cars that are lucky enough to not be stuck in their driveways slide around like butter in a skillet.

On Wednesday, I watched my roommate attempt to delicately cross an icy sidewalk in his cowboy boots, only to face-plant onto the iced-over concrete. As we helped him up off the ground it became perfectly clear – we are winter novices.

Yes, this is undoubtedly restating the obvious. The dozens of cars stuck around campus serve as evidence of our icy ignorance.

Fortunately, the high-brass leadership at ACU recognized our incompetency and canceled classes this week. I’m certain they did it for our own good.

However, as we were carefully crafting snowmen and haphazardly launching snowballs, some individuals pressed on with the same diligence they exhibit every day.

ACU Police Chief Jimmy Ellison and his officers were hard at work cleaning up accidents and keeping our new-found winter wonderland safe.

Employees in the World Famous Bean braved the slick roads of Abilene to come to work, so students could have a warm place to eat and fellowship.

ACU’s physical resources and groundskeeping teams worked tirelessly to clear sidewalks, so folks who thought they knew how to walk on the ice did not hurt themselves too badly.

For ACU’s students, the winter blast of 2011 was a good chance to relax and rewind. For others, it was just another day at the office. ACU’s students and faculty may get all the attention, but it’s individuals like Chief Ellison and his officers who work behind the scenes to make ACU successful. It’s people who keep our sidewalks clear and our bellies full who are the backbone of this institution. Without them, ACU would not be ACU.