After an incident occurred by the shore of Lake Ontario on Sept. 10, students are concerned about the safety of not having stairs on West Campus leading to the lake.
According to Oswego State’s University Police Chief John Rossi, a rare incident occurred by the lake where an individual needed transportation to Oswego Hospital. The Oswego Fire Department needed to use their boat to transport the individual to Wrights Landing, where he was then transported by ambulance to Oswego Hospital.
Associate Vice President of Facilities Services Mitch Fields said that at one point in time there was a residential neighborhood where the steam plant is now located. That neighborhood, dubbed Sheldon Beach, was used by the community and college students. Stairs were put in during that time. West Campus was built much later than the beach and having the steam plant made that beach less desirable.
“I think what is important is that shoreline access is accomplished in a responsible manner which provides benefit of all the citizens of the New York,” Fields said. “If we decide as a community that we wanted to do this, I think that we would be both morally and legally required to provide access for everyone, not only able-bodied students.”
Fields suggested that a responsible solution would be to construct a means of access for individuals with physical disabilities as well.
“A larger inclusive and sustainable solution would need to be developed, which would take into account the needs of both people and the environment, before proceeding,” Fields said.
According to Fields, the college is currently investigating how to responsibly and legally develop the lakeshore. He said it is a very complicated issue with many agencies having some measure of authority. Organizations such as the Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation are just a few that have jurisdiction.
“I think having campus access to the lakeshore would be a positive attribute for the College,” Fields said. “I know that the college, specifically the president’s office, facilities services and faculty, is working towards these ends with the Lakeshore Habitat project.”
Rossi urges students to avoid traversing down the steep banks north of Cayuga Hall and to use the stairways at Johnson Hall or behind Mary Walker Health Center.
“Obviously our campus shoreline offers some of the best sunsets of any college in the country,” Rossi said. “We advise everyone to be careful on the shore, some areas can be rather treacherous with hazards such as wet rocks that can cause slips and falls.”
Sophomore Nate Bates believes there is a problem with the growing quality gap between Lakeside, Central and West Campus living.
“While the east side is becoming more modern and will receive renovation, West Campus is showing its age drastically,” Bates said. “Providing a set of stairs to the lake, instead of the beaten down paths that everyone almost trips going down and up in at all times of the day and night, will be a step in the right direction to help close this gap.”
If students want stairs, Fields said to bring it to Student Association and get approval and endorsement. Then, SA will have to bring it to the Campus Concept Committee for its approval and as a recommendation to the Presidents Council for approval and funding.
