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Show iMItHWHW ' 8, 1S81 ff&LlPtglEIg : Solution sought for campus elevator problem By Ken Gourdin Copy Editor Most students can get where they need to go on campus without much difficulty, but tliere are those for whom getting from class to class is more of a challenge because handicaps limit their mobility. Most students don't think twice about using the stairs to go from one floor to another, but for those with handicaps, that "simple" task is more diificult, if not impossible. "Handicapped students like to come here because they dont have to fight the snow and ice. ff -- George Hampton i 1 a nnun i However, money has been appropriated by the Utah Legislature for an addition to the library which will include an elevator. "The money was approved by the Legislature in February of this year," states George Rampton, assistant to the president for development. "Bids for the job will be let beginning in April of 1992, and it is expected to be completed sometime in the spring of 1993." This would have been good news to people like Carlton Smith, who was a student at Dixie College several years ago. Bill Fowler, dean of students, tells Smith's story. "He was confined to a wheelchair and needed a tutor. At that time, the Academic Support Center was located downstairs in the library. He pleaded to be allowed to ride the freight elevator but was refused." While a passenger elevator in the library won't help Smith, there are many students like him now on campus, and Rampton says there will be many that follow after them as well. Despite a lack of elevators, Dixie College is automatically more accessible tlian many schools in the state, he says. "Handicapped students like to come here because they don't have to fight the snow and the ice." Rampton has been instrumental in helping to ensure that handicapped and nonhandicapped students alike will have equal access to campus facilities. The Student Union Building was constructed in 1972. An elevator was not installed due to a cost over-rubut a shaft was installed. In 1988, that shaft was put to use when an elevator was installed which was paid for primarily by private donors, whose names are listed on the plaque in the elevator. Rampton spearheaded the drive to raise those funds. When the Browning Center was completed in 1989, Rampton was among those who worked to see that it, too, included an elevator. "I'm proud of what we've done here," he says. When asked about the possibility of building new dorms which would include an elevator to go from one floor to another and more- - accessible laundry facilities, George Scott, housing director, said, "I don't see it happening in my lifetime. The reason is because there are about 600 empty beds in the apartments near campus. The Palms has gone through bankruptcy twice, the Wedge once, and Union Square once." Scott adds, however, that things have been done to make existing facilities more accessible. "We remodeled Shenandoah A5 to accommodate a wheelchair last year by widening the bathroom door and shower entrance. Weve also had students contact us and request to live on the bottom floor. We do accommodate those requests." Scott believes measures such as these would be unnecessary "if architects would look at buildings through the eyes of the handicapped." Rampton says although, "we are struggling with increased enrollment and decreased tax dollars." He says a major goal once the library addition is completed is that "we are going to make restrooms accessible." Other improvements were suggested students with handicaps. Rachel Gubler, a paraplegic student who uses a wheelchair, stated that a lack of handicapped parking is a problem. "There isnt enough, or it's not clearly marked, or it's not being enforced." Michael Sevy, a quadriplegic student who also uses a wheelchair, says that doors which open automatically would be a great help to him. Rampton added that he recognizes the need for an elevator in the Liberal Arts building, and says that "fundraising efforts are in progress." mi DIXIE COLLEGE BOOKSTORE E B B I For FREE Delivery Call B B B B B B ! ! ; j dU BCOUNT BEARER OF COUPON IS ENTITLED TO A 20 DISCOUNT ON PURCHASES (EXCEPT TEXTBOOKS AND SALE ITEMS) EXPIRES 340 West St. George Boulevard Delivery area limited to insure safe driving i ! i i i HRS. STUDENT UNION BLD. 8:00-5:0- 0 EmiHBBHaBIBHIBHBlIBHEIBRHRIBi Dixie College Student Special Buy One Get One FREE i GOOD ON DELIVERY WITH i i 11-15-- 91 M-- F r Hours: Sunday - Thursday 11:00 am to Midnight Friday - Saturday 11:00 am to 1:00 am i i i , i i L, THIS COUPON ONLY Buy any sized pizza with your favorite toppings at regular price and receive a second pizza of equal or lesser value absolutely free. participating motm onty Not valid with any other oiler Pricaa may wy Customer pay aalaa tax where applicable Dalivary area Hmitad to eneure aato ttoving Our drtvara carry laas than $2000 Our dnvara ara not penalized lor M Vmhd m |
