Multiple students’ safety was threatened on their way to the cafeteria on Tuesday, Feb. 26.
On the stairs leading to the Peace Garden, one student slipped and another fell on the ice and snow that accumulated Monday night and that day.
Ryan Trauger, the student who fell, said that he walks between the PE complex and the cafeteria several times a day using the Peace Garden stairs, and they were slick all day. He also mentioned, “They were right upstairs shoveling in the afternoon.”
After speaking with Trauger, the Independent contacted Facilities Management to report the problem, and asked why nothing had been done. Facilities Management was unable to comment because their office was closed for the day. The Independent then contacted Public Safety. The Public Safety officer was courteous, understanding and voiced his concern that the outside of the Public Safety office had not been shoveled or salted either. He referred the Independent back to Facilities Management.
Since it had already been established that Facilities Management was closed, the officer was then queried as to what he thought should be done. He said that he would use the radio to call the truck, and let them know the stairs needed attention.
On Wednesday, Feb. 27, the Independent contacted Facilities Management, and left a message for Assistant Vice President of Facilities Management Ralph Zia, who promptly returned the phone call. Zia explained that the north sides of the buildings, especially the Classroom building and the stairs leading to the Peace Garden, have been problem areas.
Chemicals are put down to melt the snow and ice, but when it melts and then re-freezes, it is harder to keep on top of these areas. “We will be watching the Peace Garden stairs carefully,” said Zia. Anyone finding hazardous areas should call ext. 5240, so that they can be taken care of.