Originally published October 21, 1999
by Adam Zurn

Unacceptable is the only word to describe the silent form of discrimination going on here at Millersville for longer than most can remember. This type of discrimination has nothing to do with skin color, religious beliefs, or even your ethnic background. It does however have everything to do with your physical ability. Think of the buildings here on campus that you've been in and try to picture where the elevator is in each. It might take a few minutes, but you'll probably figure it out-for most.

Now think about the dorms for a moment. What's wrong with the dorms you ask? They all have ramps to enter the building don't they. Yes they do but that's about it. In many dorms the first floor is as far as you can get. In some you can't even make it past the lobby. In Gilbert, there are four steps to the first floor rooms and this is the "wellness dorm." Doesn't sound very "well" to us. So, if you are in a wheelchair that is as far as you go.

The ramps on the outside of the buildings are there are a very good reason, so that the moms and dads who come during orientation think all the dorms are handicapped accessible. Only Diehm, Harbold, Hull, and Tanger have first floor non-stair access, while only Burrowes, Gaige, Lenhardt, and Tanger have elevators. That borders on embarrassing.

Okay, so there are places for handicapped students to live-four out of the nine dorms on campus. But what happens if a student living in a non-handicapped accessible dorm was to injure himself and have to be in a wheelchair. Would that student be forced to relocated to another dorm? But where? In our current state of overcrowding, we doubt there's room anywhere for an extra student.

What if a friend who is in wheelchair wants to visit or work on a group project in your dorm room one night but can't because you don't have an elevator. Doesn't sound fair!

Even beyond the dorms, what about the library? The elevator doesn't go to any of the balconies. So how does one get a book on those floors? We would hope they would not be forced to ride the freight elevator. Shouldn't all students have access to all the public buildings and each every one of their floors?

Millersville seems to be practicing separate but equal, but last time we checked, that was unconstitutional, sort of. The University doesn't have to make the changes until they renovate the dorms. But how long should handicapped students be forced to wait? Shouldn't all students have the option to live in any dorm they choose and not be limited because of the number of ramps in a dorm?

Until you or a loved one has to spend some time in a wheelchair, you don't normally notice this silent form of discrimination. But it's time for the University to wake up and provide equal treatment for all students, regardless of their physical ability.