As Lock Haven University students, most of us have probably had a class in Robinson Hall, or at least been in the building. Robinson Hall has seven floors, with two elevators on the first floor that go up to the sixth floor These elevators have come under some scrutiny for several odd occurrences.
I had never had a problem riding in these elevators before the fall 2021 semester. I currently have a class on the sixth floor of Robinson, and I don’t want to walk up all those stairs, so of course I choose to use the elevator. A few weeks ago, I pressed the button with a “6” on it like I always do, but when I went to the sixth floor, the door stayed closed, and the elevator returned to the first floor. I tried once again, but the same thing happened. At this point, I’m scared, so I choose to walk from the first floor to the sixth.
Other members of the Eagle Eye staff have had similar experiences. Kerri Hoover, news editor, had a similar experience to mine where the elevator did not stop on the sixth floor, and instead returned to the first floor. Another experience which involved Tess English, managing editor, and myself happened Thursday Nov. 4.
We were leaving a class on the sixth floor but neither elevator would arrive when the button was pressed. We eventually walked down to the fifth floor to try and get on there. The elevator opened, but all the buttons produced an orange light, and the elevator did not move. We exited and walked down the stairs.
I later found out in a class with Dr. Tara Mitchell, that this is not an uncommon occurrence. Mitchell called what happened to me being “kidnapped” by the elevator. In an interview, she offered up some extra information about the elevators. When asked if she felt safe riding in the elevators, she stated that she “Always carries her phone in case something happens” but added that she did not feel like the elevator was going to drop. She also stated that she prefers the freight elevator that leads to the seventh floor where her office is located.
Mitchell also offered up a possible reason as to why the elevators act this way. She stated that she had been told by a staff member that the type of elevators in Robinson are only able to handle about five to six floors, so the reason that they shake and act weird is because they are “pushing their limits”.
Even though I may not feel completely comfortable using the elevators, I don’t believe they will kill me, so I will continue to use them. I do think that Lock Haven should look into the problems with these elevators because safety of students, faculty, and guests should be of the utmost importance.
