Students walking up the stairs on the Chick-Fil-A side of the Banks Student Life Center

Some students say they have been struggling to safely walk down icy stairs on campus.

Freshman environmental science major Sofia Agudelo said she was recently on her way to the Banks Student Life Center to get a bite to eat when she slipped and fell on the stairs.

“I was horrifically embarrassed, and I thought I could be anywhere else I was so worried.”

She said additional deicing on the stairs is needed.

“The school should work on better salt for the steps instead of buying signs, so better salt would help the problem.” 

Agudelo isn’t the only student who grappled with ice-covered paths and lost.

Sophomore mass communication and design major Jonathan Castlegrant had also slipped on stairs near Banks. 

“It was not a fun experience because I almost rolled my ankle and hit the ground, but at least I was super embarrassed.” 

Campus Maintenance has installed warning signs saying, “caution, slippery steps.” 

Some students believe that signs are not enough to keep them safe from falls. 

“I feel like it isn’t safe because most college kids don’t really pay attention to signs and they’re more likely to slip,” freshman speech-language pathology major Olivia Robaczewski said.

According to Kristen Ricardo, Assistant Director of the Student Success Center/Office for Students with Disabilities, while slick walkways are a concern for all students, they may be a particular challenge for students with disabilities. 

“Whether the stairs being slippery inside and outside is a problem no matter what for students, staff, students with disabilities, and visitors, it can also be challenging for people who have physical limitations,” said Ricardo.

Maintenance staff did not respond to requests for comment at the time of publication.