Students should be allowed to drive on sidewalks to unload during times like move-in.
We see campus facility and state vehicles drive on the sidewalks all the time. I don’t think there is a day that goes by where I don’t see one of those driving on the sidewalk.
We see campus facility and state vehicles drive on the sidewalks all the time. I don’t think there is a day that goes by where I don’t see one of those driving on the sidewalk.
I understand not being allowed to by the living centers because there isn’t extra sidewalk space if a vehicle is present. So, there also wouldn’t be a lot of room to maneuver around the cars.
However, in the UVs and Pine Grove, there are so many sidewalks. Some students, myself included, don’t live in a dorm that is close to the parking lot.
This summer, I had to move all my stuff into my dorm by myself because I moved in early. I also do not own a wagon, nor do I really have the funds to buy one now.
I was unloading my car in upper 80 degree weather. That is very hot to be making five plus trips to my car and back. After a couple, I felt like I was overheating and going to pass out.
It would have been easier if I could have driven my car onto the sidewalk close to my dorm and unloaded everything. I would only be on the sidewalk for maybe five minutes.
Instead, the move-in process took me over half an hour because I had to take breaks in-between.
I’m not saying we should be able to drive or park on sidewalks because we are too lazy to carry in one or two bags of groceries.
But when I have to make multiple trips and carry heavy items, it would be more convenient to just unload everything in one trip.
It is also better for my health. Imagine if I had passed out from the heat.
I was here before the school year started, so who knows what could have happened because no one was there to find or help me.
I think for those who have to move a large number of items at once by themselves, there should be an exception for the ‘no driving on the sidewalk’ rule.
Maybe we could regulate it by having students get a pass from University Police to have their car on the sidewalk.
The pass would only be valid for 30 minutes to ensure that students aren’t abusing it.
Weather may also be another factor for these hypothetical passes.
They can only be utilized in very hot weather, wet weather, weather that may cause students to get overheated or be harmed in any way.
Obviously, the passes wouldn’t be available in the winter because cars may get stuck or slip into things.
But on hot days or during a thunderstorm, students should not have to make multiple trips to their car and back to the dorm. It can be unsafe.
If passes are not a viable option, the allowance of sidewalk driving could be between the RA and the student.
The student could inform the RA on duty that they will have their car on the sidewalk at a certain time for a small amount of time.
If the RA sees that the student has abused the allowance, they are able to fine the student, like with lock outs.
This is a way to create a safer and healthier experience for students, while also providing a convenience.
We have the best dorms for a public university in the country; let’s do more to keep it that way.
- Review: ‘X’ is a good horror movie with a unique premise - 3 Apr 2022
- Students celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day - 21 Mar 2022
- The double standard in ‘The Bachelor’ and ‘The Bachelorette’ - 21 Mar 2022
Categories: Uncategorized