Dangerous Woodstock stairs
Letter to the Editor
Brandon Way
Issue date: 4/13/09 Section: Opinion
As anyone that lives in, or even visits, Woodstock Village learns quickly, students living there go up and down a lot of stairs on a daily basis. Because of their importance, one would expect these stairs to be well-maintained for the safety of the students. Since the weather has gotten warmer, however, some of the stairs have been crumbling at the edges. I have personally fallen while walking down these stairs and I know a couple of friends who have fallen as well. These stairs are an obvious hazard.
Because of the danger posed by these stairs, I spoke to a CUSA senator in an effort to voice my complaint. The senator spoke to the student life chair asking for a proposed resolution and was told that it might take a while because they had many other issues to
address. While I am sure there are other student life issues that need to be addressed, it seemed as if my complaint did not receive the attention that it deserved. Falling forward down a long set of stairs is very dangerous, and these stairs are quickly worsening. An effort needs to be made to fix the stairs before someone becomes injured because of them.
According to Popular Mechanics, "Freeze-thaw damage results from water absorbed into tiny capillary spaces in the concrete. When the water freezes and forms ice, the resulting pressure loosens cement flakes from the surface. This problem is minimized when the steps or walkway are built using air-entrained concrete." Someone on campus seems to have found a solution to this problem; the outdoor stairs leading to the second story of the science center have thin metal strips covering the edge of the stair where the cracking is occuring on the Woodstock stairs.
Because of the danger posed by these stairs, I spoke to a CUSA senator in an effort to voice my complaint. The senator spoke to the student life chair asking for a proposed resolution and was told that it might take a while because they had many other issues to
address. While I am sure there are other student life issues that need to be addressed, it seemed as if my complaint did not receive the attention that it deserved. Falling forward down a long set of stairs is very dangerous, and these stairs are quickly worsening. An effort needs to be made to fix the stairs before someone becomes injured because of them.
According to Popular Mechanics, "Freeze-thaw damage results from water absorbed into tiny capillary spaces in the concrete. When the water freezes and forms ice, the resulting pressure loosens cement flakes from the surface. This problem is minimized when the steps or walkway are built using air-entrained concrete." Someone on campus seems to have found a solution to this problem; the outdoor stairs leading to the second story of the science center have thin metal strips covering the edge of the stair where the cracking is occuring on the Woodstock stairs.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
Charles P. Varga
posted 4/13/09 @ 9:55 PM EST
The hazards of crumbling stairs notwithstanding, I wonder why it was necessary to obtain freeze-thaw information from Popular Mechanics. Civil engineers have been aware of freeze-thaw damage for many years. (Continued…)
Matt T
posted 4/14/09 @ 10:15 AM EST
The stairs have been a serious issue since I was a student there in the early 90's. Always one of the last places on campus cleared, they used to feed the RAs in Woodstock the same line- that there were too many other projects that required attention before the steps- well I think if you are paying $45K to go to CU then safety should be priority number one- Good job for going thru the proper channels but maybe a visit to Public Works?
Craig
posted 4/14/09 @ 11:04 AM EST
The overall sense of safety was one of the reason I attended Clarkson in the mid to late 90's and I see it as a basic expectation of the student community. (Continued…)
New York Movers
posted 6/04/09 @ 3:33 PM EST
I agree, this is an issue that should be dealt with as soon as possible. Moving around campus safely without having to fear that the surface on which you're stepping might crumble and fail you is a reasonable expectation to have. (Continued…)
Jen R.
posted 7/02/09 @ 3:19 PM EST
Regarding the safety of stairs at Clarkson University, the stairs at Woodstock are particularly dangerous. Even though I've only been on campus for a few years, it is obvious that the Woodstock stairs have been a problem for several years (as seen in a previous post of a student who attended Clarkson in the '90s). (Continued…)
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