The Observer, February 8, 2008
Volume XL, Issue 16
Editorial: Improving precarious sidewalk conditions should be priority
Imagine this: the Ohio Department of Transportation suddenly decides that rather than spreading salt over Ohio's highways, they will instead dump piles of salt in high traffic areas, expecting it to be spread by passing vehicles. Would this be an accepted method of dealing with snow and ice? Probably not.
Therefore, why is it OK for Case's grounds crew to simply dump piles of salt on the sidewalk and expect students to track it around? The salt is never spread far enough. Slipping becomes a serious danger to people walking around campus.
The fact of the matter is, winter in Cleveland is never fun. Facing a mean temperature of 25.9 degrees Fahrenheit in January and seasonal snowfall totals commonly reaching or exceeding 100 inches, students should be prepared with heavy winter coats and warm boots.
However, we shouldn't be expected to carry around shovels and rock salt.
Several students have reported slipping and falling on campus, especially on stairways such as the one in front of the Veale parking garage. Some have even damaged laptops and other personal property. Yet Case refuses to even consider reimbursing students for damaged property unless it was purchased by the university for a university-run activity.
If salting and taking care of snow removal is a budget issue, the administration should consider allocating more money to the task. We shouldn't have to be terrified of slipping and falling every time we need to walk to class.
This should be an unspoken agreement. We pay you $40,000 a year; you get rid of the snow. Failing to salt sidewalks and stairways is a definite case of negligence from our point of view.
This university takes it upon itself to get involved in several different forms of prevention, especially when it comes to alcohol use and hazing. Presumably, these measures are taken to protect our safety.
Protect us from seriously injuring ourselves by taking care to clear snow and ice from sidewalks and stairways on campus. Prevent future problems by fixing obvious ones now.
