Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) has long prided itself on providing an inclusive and accessible learning environment for its diverse student body. However, recent struggles with elevator malfunctions across campus have raised concerns about the institution’s ability to uphold these values effectively. The issue of non-operational elevators extends beyond mere inconvenience; it touches upon fundamental principles of accessibility, efficiency, and safety that are integral to the NEIU community.
Accessibility lies at the heart of NEIU’s mission to offer equitable educational opportunities for all. Yet, when elevators fail to function, they effectively bar access to individuals with disabilities, hindering their ability to navigate campus and participate fully in academic life. This is a direct contradiction to NEIU’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity, especially for incoming students.
Moreover, the malfunctioning elevators disrupt the daily routines of students, faculty, and staff alike. This includes elevators in the Fine Arts Building (FA), Bernard Brommel Hall (BBH), The Nest, Lech Walesa Hall (LWH), Student Union, and the Ronald Williams Library. With classes, offices, and facilities spread across multiple floors in multiple buildings, a reliable elevator system is essential for efficient movement throughout campus. Without it, valuable time is wasted locating and navigating stairwells that may themselves be inaccessible to some students, potentially impacting productivity and academic engagement. Students with disabilities, especially, are often unable to attend their classes or meet with professors in person due to the out of order elevators.
Safety concerns also loom large in the face of elevator breakdowns. While elevators are typically off-limits during emergencies such as fires, they play a crucial role in evacuating individuals with mobility limitations or those in need of urgent medical assistance. The inability to rely on elevators in such situations poses a serious risk to the safety and well-being of the NEIU community. Other safety concerns include students being stuck or trapped on the elevators, which has occurred. Why do the elevators keep breaking down? Behind these persistent issues lies a deeper problem of maintenance and infrastructure management. The recurring breakdowns and constant maintenance fixtures suggest a failure in the university’s maintenance protocols or a lack of sufficient resources allocated to address these issues promptly. And one can only imagine how much it must cost the school to make these repairs, only for the elevators to last for thirty minutes to a day, at most! Either way, it reflects a systemic failure that undermines the institution’s reputation and compromises the quality of campus life.
Addressing the challenges posed by malfunctioning elevators requires a multifaceted approach. It seems that NEIU must prioritize regular inspections and maintenance schedules, backed by adequate funding and resources. Additionally, transparent communication with the campus community about repair timelines and progress is essential to maintaining trust and accountability, especially within the student body.
The prevalence of elevator malfunctions at Northeastern Illinois University is a pressing issue that demands immediate attention and action. By prioritizing accessibility, efficiency, and safety, NEIU can reaffirm its commitment to providing an inclusive and supportive learning environment for all members of its community. And if they do not, we as the student body should understand what this means for the priorities of our university.
Since the start of the semester, there have been elevators that have broken down around NEIU. In early September, The Independent had reported on three people that were stuck inside of an elevator. The university has addressed this concerns in a Targeted Announcement in late September, noting four different elevators that are out of service around the main campus. https://neiuindependent.org/20751/news/three-staff-stuck-in-elevator/
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