It's a typical Monday morning.
I head to my favorite work-and-study zone, the fourth floor of Lockwood Library, my imaginary to-do list scrolling through my brain. I exit the elevator with the option to turn left or right.
Seems like it doesn't matter which direction you turn – a cubicle with a busted electrical outlet or a missing light fixture will be waiting for you.
In the past, I've only encountered a few less-than-efficient cubicles. Having to relocate once or twice was no problem; however, I reached my absolute breaking point last week when I was forced to relocate my laptop to nine different booths in search of a functioning outlet.
This number seemed absurd to me. How could the university have so many glitches in one of the most popular studying areas?
Doing my duties as a reporter, I contacted UB Facilities and described my arduous and time-consuming battle with the unsatisfactory workspaces. I assumed my email's request would go unanswered, but I was wrong.
Two days later, I found myself on the fourth floor of Lockwood working in a cubicle with a missing light fixture. Reading in the dark put a strain on my eyes, forcing me to move.
The damaged carrels are not just an inconvenience, but also a safety issue. Not only does the lack of proper lighting put strain on the eyes, but the outlets have also been known to spark and shock those trying to plug in their devices – me being one of these unlucky individuals.
Finally, I located an acceptable booth. During my study session, I heard a buzzing sound that made me stick my neck out to investigate. I noticed an electrician checking the outlets.
This truly surprised me. Although the outlets were checked, only four of the eight that were found with problems were fixed. At the time, I was told that the others would be repaired, provided that a higher priority did not arise.
I was also informed that the last time the spaces were checked was in the summertime. At that time, only four outlets were reported to be faulty.
By Tuesday, I was told that all eight defunct spaces had been repaired.
Although I commend UB Facilities for responding so quickly, I can't help but feel like the university should regularly check the functionality of these spaces. The cubicles are crucial settings for studying and working on assignments. With trucks of people filing in and out of Lockwood each day, the spaces are bound to have some wear and tear. They should be safe and suitable environments for students.
Understandably, we are all members of the UB community. As students, we are the eyes and ears of campus. If we notice that something could be improved or needs to be fixed, we are obligated to report it.
Generally, I am the kind of person who isn't very proactive, but I've learned that if you have an issue with something, you should be vocal about it. You can sit next to your dying laptop with your eyes two inches away from your textbook and feel agitated, or you can alert the people who can solve the problem.
Email: nataliel@buffalo.edu
