With winter making itself known, many students are forced to brave the cold to get to classes. However, as temperatures drop, so does the university’s commitment to student safety.
Campus walkways have been a nightmare for many students; even commuters are disappointed with how the university has taken to winter weather safety.
For students, faculty and staff, navigating the campus during Ohio’s brutal winter months feels like a gamble at the local casino. Whether it’s the paths between residence halls or the main walkways leading to lecture halls, the ice-covered sidewalks are a glaring oversight.
It’s as if the university has forgotten that basic safety is a prerequisite for effective learning.
Due to the campus’s diverse landscape, it’s hard to predict if we should be worried about slipping down stairs or comfortably walking through the flat alleyways. As someone who has fallen victim to the stairs of Franklin Hall, I think we could do a much better job at keeping areas ice-free.
The problem goes beyond physical safety — it also speaks volumes about the university’s priorities.
Tuition is higher than ever; students are paying a premium to attend this institution. It’s reasonable to expect that some of that money would go toward ensuring a safe environment. Instead, it seems the budget for proper snow removal and salting has been put on ice.
Some might argue that maintaining clear sidewalks during harsh winters is a logistical challenge. But other universities in similarly cold climates manage just fine. If they can implement proactive snow removal policies and stay ahead of the storm, why can’t we?
The University of Akron has closed down its university for the safety of their students. Their university is only 20 minutes away from us, there is no reason why we can’t do the same.
Most students complain about how poorly plowed the parking lots have been since the semester started. Many commuters have expressed deep concern about the lots not being safe. Even students who park at Dix Stadium have said they are upset with the parking lot clean-up.
These are not the only things students are upset about. According to Khori Davis, a sophomore sociology major, some pathways are being fully ignored when salting. Davis slipped and fell while walking through the Quad between Lake, Olson and the Honors College residence halls.
“I had busted my butt on the sidewalk last week,” Davis said.
She is not the only student who fell due to unkept sidewalks. Ella Adam, a sophomore fashion design major, was walking from the library to Eastway when she fell and cracked the screen of her phone. “I shattered my phone because of these sidewalks,” Adam said. Her phone was in her back pocket when she slipped.
Either the university alters its winter weather percussion, or more students fall victim to the ice.
Chloe Porter is a columnist. Contact her at [email protected].