When the first snowflakes fall and the temperature drops, Wright State University\u2019s extensive tunnel system is a popular and safe destination for all students, faculty and staff.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe tunnels are definitely a good thing,\u201d said Bryce Kells, a first-year student majoring in human resource management. \u201cIt\u2019s been so cold with winter rolling in so I\u2019ve been using the tunnels to stay warm.\u201d<\/p>\n
Due to harsh outdoor conditions, many students, staff and faculty are drawn to Wright State for its tunnel system, a network of underground hallways and passages on the Dayton Campus that provides shelter from the elements above. And regardless of the weather, the tunnels are a convenient way for students, faculty and staff with disabilities to navigate around campus.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere isn\u2019t any kind of barrier physically when it comes to the weather for our students especially for chair users,\u201d said Tom Webb, associate vice president of accessibility.<\/p>\n
With two miles of tunnels linking 21 of 23 buildings in the academic section of the Dayton Campus, the tunnel system has made Wright State one of the most accessible colleges in the country. Earlier this year, Wright State reopened a portion of the tunnel system connecting Hamilton Hall to the Student Union, giving students in Hamilton easy access to the tunnel network.<\/p>\n
Wright State recently received a StormReady certification from the National Weather Service, in part because of the tunnel system, which provides a safe space and communication capabilities during severe storms such as tornados.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe tunnels have speakers and certain safety infostructure put in place so that it\u2019s safe if there\u2019s ever certain types of weather,\u201d said Kurt Holden, director of the Department of Public Safety<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" When the first snowflakes fall and the temperature drops, Wright State University\u2019s tunnel system is a popular and safe destination for all students, faculty and staff. Continue reading