For some students, getting around campus is a challenge
Posted by The Skyliner on March 31st, 2010Jody Franklin
Staff Writer
“I’m always late to class,” Kim Wooten, senior business administration, said . “Depending on where my classes are, it takes me about 10 to 20 minutes longer than most people to get to class.”
Wooten is a student at North Greenville University who needs to have handicapped accessibility to maneuver her electric wheelchair around campus.
Wooten revealed how the simple things like leveling ramps, installing automatic handicapped accessible doors and equipping all bathrooms with a handicapped atmosphere would greatly assist her and others’ ability to get around campus.
Although Wooten’s daily routines at NGU can be difficult, she said, “Overall my experience at NGU has been amazing. I am well accepted and I’m treated normal in the classroom by most professors. I have a wonderful group of girls to help me, which I love dearly.”
No matter how pleasant her experience has been at NGU, Wooten still feels getting around campus is hazardous, inconvenient and even “scary.” Wooten remembered a story about an NGU student Sarah Meekins who was trapped in the Administration Building elevator. Meekins was alone and was missing for about an hour. Finally, someone informed campus security of the student going into the elevator and never coming out of it. Thankfully, maintenance came and repaired the elevator, relieving Meekins from being trapped. Because of this, Wooten explained, she is sometimes worried about getting around the school.
Not only do Wooten and others want to enjoy their time at NGU, but they also want to feel safe. In the future, Wooten hopes the school will better recognize the needs of every student and make the necessary changes to make the already wonderful university even better.
According to Michelle Lovins, vice president of NGU business affairs, money is being raised and arrangements are being made to renovate the Craine Science Building for handicap accessibility. Other than that building, every NGU facility meets the necessary standards for Adult Public Assistance Standards.
Lovins also affirmed that the school does take into consideration those who need handicapped accessibility, but it is difficult to accommodate their needs on such an unlevel campus.
Lovins said that the NGU business office appreciates any help that students can give to the other students who need handicapped accessibility. Contact student services for opportunities to assist any student that is having difficulty getting around the campus.
Tags: Spring 2010, Vol. 110 - Issue 9