It has been more than a year since we first highlighted the struggles with campus elevators, and here we are—still dealing with a 

familiar sight: the dreaded Out of Order signs. Although the pace of repairs seems to have picked up, so has the rate at which elevators break down. Just as one elevator is finally fixed in one building, another decides to go out in a different one. It has become a cycle that leaves students and faculty wondering if there’s any end in sight, or if there is a more permanent solution to be found. 

This cycle of temporary fixes and frequent breakdowns has made “Out of Order” signs a near-permanent fixture around campus. Sometimes, it seems like more effort goes into maintaining those signs than the elevators themselves. So not only do you have to plan for any number of situations, now you must plead with the universe that an elevator you need is working, less you must take the dreaded staircase. For those of you who have class on the higher floors, may whatever fitness deity smile upon you. 

But for those who do find a working elevator, the experience is often less than reassuring. Take the elevator in Karnoutsos Hall for instance. The constant creaks, jerks, and unsettling sounds can make it feel like a horror movie in motion. Anxiety already comes with relying on a compact metal box to safely transport you up and down several floors—no one needs the haunting soundtrack to go with it. 

Though the increased effort to try and stay on top of this repair is appreciated, the temporary nature of these fixes has turned morning routines into a nerve-wracking experience. Until a more permanent solution is implemented, it seems that stretching before class remains a necessary part of the morning routine, as does the hope that, just maybe, today’s trip to your class will involve less of a hike.