Addressing the Lack of Elevators on Campus
By Shara Calderon
The education system requires accessibility and adaptability. Humans, by nature, are all different and must have their needs met to learn properly. Therefore, one could say that accessibility is one of the foundational pillars of elective learning. This concept leads one to question why there is a need for elevators across the University of the Cumberlands campus. Many buildings throughout campus, such as the Bennett and Luecker buildings and nearly all the dormitories, lack some basic accessibility needs, specifically elevators. These elevators are essential for those who are injured or disabled.
Although the campus is home to a diverse group of students, a large portion of the student body is comprised of student-athletes. Therefore, injuries from games and practices can quickly happen and affect students and their ability to walk up and down stairs. In many instances, a boot, crutches, walkers, or even wheelchairs make the journey from the dorm to class much more difficult. One senior. MaQuoia Bernabe, explains, “As an athlete myself, I had a pretty gruesome injury that required me to be in a brace and a boot. Using crutches to get around campus while going up and down stairs to class was difficult.” Injuries happen in athletes and several other students, making the trek to class rather challenging. MaQuoia, as well as other students, find the lack of consistent accessibility jarring.
Xander Tackett is a volunteer for The Patriot and a freshman transfer from Morehead State University. He had to move colleges due to the utter lack of meeting his needs. Here, he sees how people are willing to help. Like many others on campus, Xander contacted the Director of Accommodations, Shirley Stephens, to seek help. The student has had leg deformities from a young age, which inhibits him in many ways. Xander notes that having no elevators in every building “forces [him] to go upstairs and causes more pain to [his] leg than [he] already go[es] through.”
Although the student population on campus is notable, faculty and stall comprise a large percentage of the campus community. These individuals can also suffer from injuries and disabilities, which, like students, can make for a difficult time navigating campus. Employees working in Bennett and Luecker climb two or three flights of stairs multiple times a day. With so many students and stall at the university, the need for elevators may call into question how accessibility-friendly the school is.
The University’s administration has noticed and begun to remedy the issues. Recently, renovations have been finished outside the mid-level of the Boswell Campus Center (BCC) entrance to allow wheelchair accessibility onto and across the viaduct. This essential change has allowed for a smoother commute for students on their way to class. Yet, many individuals still see room for improvement, with many asking themselves what they can do to help correct the situation.
On Wednesday, September 13, the Student Government Association (SCA) announced that they have set aside $10,000 for” campus improvements.” Most of this money could go to renovating dormitories and academic buildings for wheelchair ramps and elevators. SGA meetings take place every other Wednesday night in Gatliff Chapel. Perhaps somebody should propose allocating money to creating a more accessible campus.
