Many people would feel upset if their boss called them at 4 a.m. and told them they needed to come into work before dawn. But for Nathan Fincher, a sophomore from Plattsmouth, Neb., it happens all the time.

Fincher works for the BYU-Idaho grounds crew. His job, along with 35 other students, is to make sure the sidewalks and walkways are clear of snow and safe for students and faculty — before they get to school.

“Of anything we do on grounds, [snow removal] is the most difficult, but it is also what I am most proud of,” said Jay Warnick, grounds supervisor. “I am very proud of this group and how they answer this call.”

Warnick said any time one-quarter inch of snow or more accumulates on the ground overnight, he gets a call at 3 a.m. from the BYU-Idaho Division of the Rexburg Police Department dispatcher. He phones his crew supervisors and together they assess the situation.

If it is decided that snow removal is necessary, Warnick said experienced full-time grounds crew members arrive at 3 a.m. to sweep the sidewalks using tractors with large rotating brooms attached to the front.

“We generally don’t have students operate the brooms,” Warnick said. “It takes someone who has experience and really knows what they’re doing.”

At 4 a.m. crew supervisors call their student employees to inform them they need to come in. By 4:30 a.m. the crews are in full swing, sweeping entry ways and clearing anywhere the brooms can’t reach.

“It usually takes two-and-a-half to three hours to get everything done,” Fincher said. “I’m usually home by 7:30 in the morning.”

One would think that getting up before dawn every time it snows in Rexburg would have adverse effects on a student’s grades. But Fincher said that just like everyone else, the only time he falls behind in class is when he fails to manage his time well.

Fincher said he purposely scheduled his courses this semester so he could get some rest before he has to go to class every morning.

Although it takes time management to work and go to school, working in sub-zero temperatures and difficult conditions helps build unity and camaraderie among the student workers.

If one crew needs assistance, others are willing to help out, Warnick said. “It’s very much a team effort.”

“Everybody gets along for the most part,” Fincher said. “We spend time together outside of work. I’ve gone to barbecues with guys on the crew.”

Warnick said the Grounds Department has several other projects it is working on this semester, such as refinishing some of the wood benches on campus and assembling new bleachers for use on the intramural fields.