On Tuesday, Nov. 7, a stairwell outside Montclair State University’s Student Center was found with a slanted step, presenting a safety concern to students and faculty.
At first, there was no indication that there was a facility malfunction. Montclair State community members were forced to make their way down the steps and simply find out for themselves about the broken step. It came to a halfway point until one had to turn around and find another way to leave the building. After a few hours, there was a cone placed on the stair to serve as a warning. At around eight in the morning the next day, there was caution tape preventing people from going down the stairs. As of Wednesday, Nov. 8, it has been repaired.
This malfunction has begged the question: Do people know how to report facility malfunctions? While it may be expected that faculty and staff members know who to call, the step served as an opportunity to find out if students know who to contact and how to contact them if they find out about facility issues like this one.
According to the Montclair State website for the Facilities Customer Service Center, there are two main methods of inquiring about facilities-related issues. One way is by calling them at 973-655-5444 or contacting them via email at servicedesk@mail.montclair.edu.
However, this information is not widely available to students and they may not be informed as to how they can find this information.
Stella Daly, a freshman film and television major, responded that she did not know how to report facility malfunctions like the broken step.
Stella Daly, freshman film and television major. Allen Macaraeg | The Montclarion
“I do not,” Daly said. “I only know like in the dorm building but even then I’m like barely aware.”
Seth Nestorowicz, a sophomore film and television major, commented on how other facility malfunctions or issues on campus are upsetting to him.
Seth Nestorowicz, a sophomore film and television major. Allen Macaraeg | The Montclarion
“It makes me upset,” Netorowicz said. “Especially because like a lot of the buttons for disabled people, they don’t work. It’s messed up I think.”
Alexander Jones, a sophomore film and television major, brought attention to allocation of money, where certain issues have persisted for a long period of time. From his perspective, the money spent on decorative items is not as well-spent as it could be.
Alexander Jones, a sophomore film and television major. Allen Macaraeg | The Montclarion
“We’re paying a lot to go here and I think that our money should be put to good use,” Jones said. “I heard about we bought the ridiculous hawk statue ten, fifteen years ago for like a ridiculous amount of money, yet Bohn [Hall] still doesn’t have air conditioning. And an elevator in Machuga [Heights] that’s been broken for a month or two.”
