U Weekly. Serving The Ohio State University in Columbus Ohio

A self-declared snow day

By Michael Amann

Walking around campus is always harder in the winter. With the exception of 50-degree January days, the grounds of The Ohio State University are too often a windswept obstacle course.

"If there's too much snow I won't go to school," said Christopher Tekaucic, a graduate student in education.

Tekaucic is not, however, a lazy layabout. Tekaucic uses a cane and sometimes a walker to get around, and is one of many Buckeyes with limited mobility.

Schools to our north have ways of dealing with the big freeze. The Universities of Minnesota and Wisconsin - in the spirit of their earth-dwelling mascots - have a series of tunnels to circumvent cold, lonely walks across the surface of their nigh uninhabitable tundra.

Buckeyes, however, are not as well known for their burrowing. Ohio State students lack the use of subterranean labyrinths as a mean of avoiding nasty weather.

The same weather that some fully mobile students will take a five percent grade reduction for absence to avoid, also vexes those who might have a tough time getting in during the best climates.

"If there's too much snow, most students can't get around. Not just us," said Tekaucic. However, winter provides additional challenges to many Buckeyes that many people solve without thinking.

"[Winter is] probably hardest on us," Tekaucic said. "You have to have a map of campus in your head. You have to know exactly where each building is. You have to know where all the entrances are."

The winter weather also makes things difficult for Rachel Widomski, a senior Fine Arts major who uses a wheelchair. "If there is snow on the ground, there is usually an issue somewhere," Widomski said.

Widomski specifically laments that the dips between a road and the sidewalks are sometimes covered in snow. "If the sidewalks are cleared, the ramps to get onto the sidewalks are not. There is often piled snow and ice on the edges of sidewalks that lead to access ramps," she said.

University buildings, however, usually have clear entrances for those with limited mobility. "Getting into buildings is not an issue," said Tekaucic, adding that the ramps are usually cleared.

Widomski agreed. "The issue seems to be getting from the car to an accessible path, not the ramp directly into the building."

Despite having to use a wheelchair to get around because of a T12 spinal injury suffered in a hit-and-run nearly two years ago, Widomski is concerned about those less fortunate than herself. "I worry that it is more difficult for others that may not be as mobile as myself," she said.

Yet OSU has services, such as the Handivan, to assist with student mobility. The service runs weekdays 6:45 a.m. to midnight, and weekends 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and can be reached by calling 292-6202. Priority is given to permanent riders, those going to class or somewhere on campus, and students.

Tekaucic has one complaint, however.

"One building I'm in does not have an elevator that I know of," said Tekaucic. That building is Ramseyer Hall. However, students can ask professors to move the class to a more suitable location. Tekaucic did not say he opted to do that.

"I've actually decided to stay home during the winter quarter since the weather is so unpredictable," said Widomski. "I received an Undergraduate Research Grant and I have chosen to start it this winter so that I am still able to work toward my degree from home."

Originally Published: February 3, 2010

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