The UB Post

Imagine your first semester at a new school. Anything could happen. You have a hard time finding parking. You have to stand in line in the Financial Aid Office. You could get lost on your way to class. You could find out you bought the wrong book. But could you ever imagine getting stuck in an elevator with one of your professors?

That’s exactly what happened to Astarte Daley, publications design student. On Sept. 26, at approximately 10:45 p.m., Daley was leaving her Writing for the Marketplace class with Arthur Magida, professor and writer in residence in the School of Communications Design. Magida had hosted a special guest in the Student Center for his class that evening. As the class dispersed, Magida and Daley got onto the elevator on the third floor. As the elevator descended, it became trapped between floors. Magida pressed the emergency call button.

Within minutes, they had a response. The voice explained to them what the problem was and that help was on the way. They also heard several other voices asking them if they were OK.

The whole incident lasted approximately 20 to 30 minutes. When they got off the elevators, two police officers where waiting to make sure that they were fine.

“I’m now a bit more cautious, but the experience didn’t deter me from riding elevators,” Daley said. “In fact, the very next day I took the elevator because I was too lazy to take the stairs.”

Magida joked, “It was dark in there. The air was thick. I had no food. It seemed like an eternity.”

Steve Kitchen, associate vice president for facilities, wasn’t aware of the elevator incident in the Student Center. The elevators are serviced by Shindler Elevator. “Most of the complaints are usually about the smaller elevators in the Academic Center.” Kitchen said. “The new elevators in the Academic Center should be finished by Nov. 29.”

Hayes is a contributing writer at The UB POST
nakea.hayes@ubalt.edu

“I ride the elevators in the Business Center, Student Center, and parking garage—when they are working. Most of the elevators are fine except the one in the parking garage. That one hardly ever works. Most of the students complain about those elevators.”
–Nikkia Ayala, accounting student

“I have heard that the [elevators] in the Academic Center break down a lot and the ones in the middle of the building are too small.”
–Tavon English, accounting student

“I prefer using the elevators. It’s much easier when you have to carry a heavy book bag. I have heard some friends say the ride in the Business Center elevators can be a little rough.”
– Cynthia Gee, criminal justice student

Do you have an elevator story you’d like to share with us?

If so, send it to The UB Post, 21 W. Mt. Royal Ave., SC 303, Baltimore, MD, 21201, or