CHLOE KOWALYK
News Editor
During the winter season, SUNY Fredonia’s campus becomes a landscape of white snow and giant snowflakes sticking to the trees. However, along with the winter aesthetic comes various issues for students trying to walk around campus.
One student in particular, Max Sheedy, uses a wheelchair to navigate campus and make his way to his classes. Sheedy is a senior double majoring in video production and public relations with a minor in film studies. He cited that during his four total years at SUNY Fredonia, he has faced many issues getting his wheelchair through the snow and getting to class.
Oftentimes, sidewalks are not properly plowed in the winter months. Because of this, Sheedy and other students face significant difficulties attending classes, club meetings and other responsibilities on campus. These students also risk falling and getting injured, as well as getting stuck or having decreased mobility while in wheelchairs.
“There have been multiple times within the last four years where I wasn’t able to go to class because the sidewalks weren’t cleaned off enough,” Sheedy said. He also explained that not only are the sidewalks on the way to classes often not cleared, but the sidewalks to get to the recreational parts of campus are typically covered in snow as well.
While Sheedy has noted that he feels he can “navigate campus pretty well with very few hiccups,” the major issue he faces is the snow.
In hopes of solving his problem, Sheedy reached out to Jennifer Ruhland, the coordinator of SUNY Fredonia’s Disability Support Services. Ruhland said that after hearing Sheedy’s concerns, she reached out to Facility Services immediately.
In reference to the large amounts of snow on campus in early February, Ruhland said, “I was told that [Facility Services] would clean the sidewalks to the best of their ability.” She continued, “I reiterated to the Grounds Crew and Facility Services that all students need access to classes, even in the wintertime in Western New York. I think with proper communication, I can get on this type of situation quicker.”
Sheedy said that the issues proposed to him were to either give the college his schedule every semester, or to chat with the vice president in the spring. Sheedy said that he did not attend the proposed meeting in the spring with the vice president because he was asking for help in the winter, and that holding a meeting after the snow has melted “doesn’t help with the current issue.”
Sheedy also said, “I shouldn’t have to give the school my schedule, the sidewalks should be cleared off for everybody, not just myself.”
He also explained that he is very active around campus.
Along with being a double major and having a minor, Sheedy is also the WCVF program director at Fredonia Radio Systems on campus. For his position on the eboard, he spends a lot of time in the radio station in McEwen Hall and around campus. “I’m all over the place,” Sheedy said. “I don’t just go to class and go to my dorm.”
In an email, Ruhland included a statement about the matter posted a few years ago that she felt needed to be reiterated.
The statement is as follows:
“If any student, faculty or staff member sees something that prevents access for anyone with limited mobility — such as a blocked sidewalk or out-of-service elevator — please report it immediately to Facilities Services at (716) 673-3452, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays, or the Customer Service Center at (716) 673-3454 during evenings, weekends and holidays.” Ruhland added, “If you see someone who needs immediate assistance, please call the University Police at (716) 673-3333,” and that “Students who require accommodations for access and support should speak with Jennifer Ruhland, Coordinator of the Office of Disability Support Services for Students (716) 673-3270, disability.services@fredonia.edu.” Ruhland stressed all of the offices and employees she mentioned will do their best to take care of any issues — as long as they are aware there is a problem. She said campus employees “share responsibility for creating a welcoming environment.”
However, Sheedy feels that the college should “get plows going before classes and [focus] on spots that need it first… start where most students will be and then move on.”
Despite the statement that was released a few years prior, Sheedy has faced these issues for the four years he attended SUNY Fredonia, and he believes that this issue was likely existing before he arrived.
“It’s time for the school to do something,” Sheedy said. “Even past my graduation, I’m not the only one who uses accessibility equipment. Everyone should be able to access the classes and facilities that we’re paying for.”