Elevator breakdowns may be result of misuse

Many students say elevators in the Wells towers frequently breakdown, but elevator constructor Ray Korpela said considering their constant use, elevators on campus do not malfunction often.

Elevator breakdowns are usually the result of people using them the wrong way, such as holding the doors open too long or prying the doors open, he said.

"Every once in a while one breaks down more than usual, but mostly they are all running pretty good," Korpela said.

While some students may feel temporarily inconvenienced when an elevator is not working, particularly in the Wells residence halls, most agree that they are fixed within a reasonable amount of time.

Wells East resident Patrick Gibbons said he understands the elevators need maintenance and thinks repairs are made quickly.

"I have only witnessed them broken down a couple of times, and usually by the time I come back, they are fixed," he said. "It is understandable considering the building is pretty old."

When an elevator does malfunction, maintenance workers try to assess the problem as quickly as possible, he said.

"If I am on campus, I will head over within 10 minutes," Korpela said. "When I am not there, usually someone will work on it within one hour."

If no one is on campus when an elevator is having problems, they may be forced to call someone in from an off-campus location, he said.

While most students can manage without an elevator, some students who are disabled need the elevator to get into class or into their dorm. Connie Wiersma, Assistant Director of the Center for Students with Disabilities, thinks that the elevator constructors fix any problems in a timely manner.

"They are very aware of the need for the elevators to be working so they act as quickly as they can," Wiersma said.

She said disabled students need to be able to exit the building as quickly and efficiently as possible.