Kristin Marthaler

Being handicapped may be challenging in its own right, but trying to get around campus is another matter entirely.

Jamie Mack, a senior journalism student who is in a wheelchair, said he has to take all his tests in Pugsley, but it’s not very easy to use the elevators in the building.

“The testing center is on the second floor, and the elevator is manually run, so you need someone to open and shut the elevator for you,” Mack said.

Nancy Hartenhoff-Crooks, acting coordinator for disabilities services, said most of SDSU was built back in the early 1900s so it still has some improvements to make.

“SDSU is a work in process,” she said. “As resources become available SDSU makes their updates.”

Buildings built before a certain date don’t have to be handicapped accessible, Crooks said.

“It could improve,” said Penny Brandt, a junior human development and family studies major. “To get into Rotunda and NFA you have to go all the way to the center of the building. What’s the point of having so many access points if people in wheelchairs or on crutches are the ones that have to walk all the way to the front.”

Brandt, who works at the library, said it is only partially accessible.

“It is accessible to get in, but if someone in a wheelchair wants to roll down the aisles, their elbows hit the shelves because there isn’t enough room,” she said.

The only accessible resident halls for wheelchairs are Waneta and Wecota, Crooks said.

“Berg and Bailey recently had some of their units revamped to allow for wheelchairs,” she said.

The new residence hall will be handicapped accessible, Crooks said.

“We were invited in on the planning process of the new residence hall. We were really excited about that,” Crooks said.

The cost of making all the buildings on campus handicapped accessible would be extremely high, Crooks said.

#1.885610:1364306111.jpg:jamie copy.jpg:Jamie Mack tries to maneuver into an elevator in Pugsley Hall. Someone has to open and shut the elevator for him. :Jerry Smith