When 575 Commonwealth’s only functioning elevator broke down and trapped 11 Boston University students on Nov. 20, some residents said they were not surprised.
“There’s quite a bit of overcrowding. Since there’s only one elevator, so many students try to get on,” said College of Communication sophomore Courtney O’Connell. “I think they both kind of contribute to each other.”
While the maximum occupancy per elevator is eight, O’Connell said, the service runs so slowly that students often squeeze into the cart until there is no more room.
The incident reflected a continuous problem with students overcrowding elevators in residence halls, said William Walter, assistant vice president of Operations and Services.
“[The elevators] are tested by the State each year, and a certificate is issued for each elevator,” Walter said. “Overloading or exceeding weight capacity is a common cause of the elevator stopping. This is a safety design feature of the equipment.”
Facilities Management works with the Otis Elevator Company and mechanics on maintenance, repairs and inspections, Walter said. While they look at rates of travel, speed, elevator floor call response and stops per floor, safety is key to determine whether or not an elevator can run.
BU policeman Alex Ayochok, who helped rescue students from the elevator on Nov. 20, said he gets calls about broken down elevators in residences often.
“We get them quite a few times a year about elevators. Everyone likes to crowd in the elevator,” Ayochock said.
Josh Wagner, COM sophomore living in HoJo, said the elevators need “100 percent” improvement.
“These elevators are really bad. They should definitely be looked into further,” Wagner said.
The elevators in HoJo have been a “challenge,” Walter said. Facilities Management and Otis were waiting to replace parts that were out of stock. After the Nov. 22 malfunction, both elevators were fixed.
The elevator that first broke down has since stopped working. A sign was placed over the doors on the ground floor that read “No Service.” Another sign was taped over the maximum occupancy sign on every floor that reads “No more than 6 people in . . . otherwise the elevator will get stuck.”
In other residence halls, students said they have encountered a few elevator issues, mostly due to overcrowding.
“There are just a lot of people that live in Warren [Towers]. Sometimes the elevators take a long time,” said College of Arts and Sciences freshman Lindsay Crokett, who lives on the 18th floor of Shields Tower in Warren. “I know a couple of people who’ve been stuck in the elevator before.”
Crockett said she got stuck in an elevator on her way to class. With help from Facilities Management and Planning staff, she got out after 30 minutes.
“At first it was really scary, but after that it was just an inconvenience,” she said.
Overcrowding happens in every residence hall, said College of Engineering freshman Steven Moy, as everyone tries to fit as many people possible.
Moy, however, said he thinks that students should not be blamed for overloading elevators.
“Elevators are supposed to support 5,000 pounds,” he said. “If you can fit the people in there, it’s fine. It’s understandable.”
Walter disagreed, saying that exceeding the maximum occupancy would be counter-productive to improving elevator service.
“The number one thing people can do to improve elevator service,” he said, “ is to avoid overloading.”
