Campus safety in the winter
Photo courtesy of WIkimedia Commons
The safety of every Geneseo student and faculty member should be deeply considered during the winter seasons. As one of the SUNY campuses with a limited amount of accessibility, this should be a bigger discussion.
When the winter season approaches Geneseo, it is met with both joy and melancholy as students and faculty members alike fight cold winds, black ice on elevated hills, and mounds of snow on their way to campus.
The response from the school concerning student and faculty safety was lackluster and underwhelming. On Feb. 7, 2025, students received an email from facilities giving tips to prevent students from seriously injuring themselves during the remainder of the winter season. The email read that students should hold onto stair railings, shuffle when walking, wear slip-resistant footwear, and other tips to prevent serious injuries from occurring on their way to class. Although these are helpful tips for students to follow to protect their safety, other methods could be useful for both on-campus and off-campus students.
On-campus students are not the only ones being negatively impacted by the weather conditions in Geneseo. Off-campus and commuting students are also put at a disadvantage due to the lack of care for Geneseo [the town] services. Commuting students travel great distances, both long and short, to attend their courses. But should these students be willing to risk their safety to attend their courses? Walking on the sidewalk has become the next dangerous thing, leaving students and Geneseo residents to walk in the road to avoid slipping on the sidewalks. According to the Village of Geneseo website, “The Village of Geneseo plows sidewalks as a courtesy, however, some accumulation still remains.” Unfortunately, this is not being provided for many off-campus students and Geneseo residents who are still struggling to conduct their daily activities due to the piles of snow (and sheets of ice under that snow) on the sidewalk.
Other SUNY campuses are experiencing similar issues, where it may be too unsafe for students to venture outside of their dorms and onto their campuses. SUNY Oswego and Syracuse University were met with severe weather conditions within the last two weeks, causing classes to be canceled or moved to remote instruction in an attempt to keep students and faculty members safe. Although the winter seasons are not as severe or dangerous as those of other SUNY institutions, our safety should be the highest priority at this institution. It does us no good to hurt ourselves on our way to class. If anything, it harms us more.
Student safety should be Geneseo’s highest priority. We appreciate tips for cautionary steps to prevent harming our bodies during these tough seasons. We would, however, appreciate it if other steps could be taken in order to protect students and faculty members during these adverse weather conditions. Other alternatives and mandates could be implemented to ensure the safety of every person in Geneseo. This is not a matter of if someone gets hurt, it’s a matter of when.
If you are a student or faculty member who has been affected by the lack of services, don’t be afraid to contact the Village of Geneseo or Facility Services at Geneseo. We have a right to bring these issues to the attention of those who are supposed to keep us safe. Even if it may not seem like it, these are serious risks that could put a lot of people in vulnerable positions. Prioritize your safety and, most importantly, advocate for your safety!