Alyssa Norden, UT:10 News Reporter
February 7, 2019
February 7, 2019
TOLEDO, Ohio - Several weeks ago, it was brought to UT:10 News' attention that there have been issues with disabled students getting around campus effectively.
Slippery walkways have been posing an issue around campus for those with disabilities, leaving many to wonder if the grounds crew is able to do its job effectively.
Senior Associate Vice President for Facilities and Construction Jason Toth says he believes this is just an anomaly that occurred because of the weather.
When asked if he believed his department was understaffed, Toth said no. But UT Advisor Lisa Bollman, who has mobility issues, says they are.
Her office at Sullivan Hall is an especially slippery area, because it is not as well traveled as other areas of the University.
While Toth says he is satisfied with his team's efficiency, he also says that the extreme weather, such as the frigid temperatures we experienced recently, have made it difficult for the treatment placed on the walkways to melt the ice.
“Given the extreme cold that we had, it rendered that brine solution to be effective. When you get around minus ten- or ten degrees, you no longer have the effective nature of the rock salt to get rid of the snow that occurs on our sidewalks, or the ice that occurs on our sidewalks.”
Student Disability Services says there have been no reports of incidents, when it comes to walkways being inaccessible due to ice.
Bollman and Toth both encourage students to be cautious on the ice and walk slowly.
If you do see a disabled student struggling to get through an icy spot - do not be afraid to ask them if they need help.
Students that would like to report an untreated walkway may call 419-530-1000 for Main Campus - and 419-383-5353 for the Health Science Campus.
Slippery walkways have been posing an issue around campus for those with disabilities, leaving many to wonder if the grounds crew is able to do its job effectively.
Senior Associate Vice President for Facilities and Construction Jason Toth says he believes this is just an anomaly that occurred because of the weather.
When asked if he believed his department was understaffed, Toth said no. But UT Advisor Lisa Bollman, who has mobility issues, says they are.
Her office at Sullivan Hall is an especially slippery area, because it is not as well traveled as other areas of the University.
While Toth says he is satisfied with his team's efficiency, he also says that the extreme weather, such as the frigid temperatures we experienced recently, have made it difficult for the treatment placed on the walkways to melt the ice.
“Given the extreme cold that we had, it rendered that brine solution to be effective. When you get around minus ten- or ten degrees, you no longer have the effective nature of the rock salt to get rid of the snow that occurs on our sidewalks, or the ice that occurs on our sidewalks.”
Student Disability Services says there have been no reports of incidents, when it comes to walkways being inaccessible due to ice.
Bollman and Toth both encourage students to be cautious on the ice and walk slowly.
If you do see a disabled student struggling to get through an icy spot - do not be afraid to ask them if they need help.
Students that would like to report an untreated walkway may call 419-530-1000 for Main Campus - and 419-383-5353 for the Health Science Campus.
 Lisa Bollman - Academic Advisor, UT Department of Communication |  Icy sidewalks create slipping danger on UT campus |  Jason Toth - Senior Associate Vice President for Facilities and Construction |
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