Current Issues in Journalism

LAWRENCE, Kan. -
Walking to class? You'd better throw on your hiking boots. Getting to class from the area nicknamed the "Student Ghetto" can pose as a challenge for many students. The off-campus housing located approximatley between the 1000 and 1600 blocks of Ohio, Tennessee and Kentucky Streets is home to a large amount of university students. Each day these students trek up the road and up hills to get to class. However, the sidewalks that should be aiding students on their walks actually pose as a threat.

While the sidewalks of Lawrence are all in generally poor condition, the sidewalk shown here on the 1200 block of Tennessee is in particularly bad shape.

Ashlee Sears, an Oklahoma City senior who lives on the corner at 12th and Tennesee, has had her share of difficulties with the sidewalks. "In September I completely fell flat on my face when I tripped on some broken part of the sidewalk. It was not pretty."

The Administrative Support of the Street and Storm Water Matinence of Lawrence, Margie Baston, said she would look into the problem and see if anything could be done.

In the meantime, students need to watch their steps carefully when walking on this sidewalk. Let's all hope the mild weather continues, otherwise we can look forward to facing snow and ice on top of these already shoddy surfaces.

If you have any suggestions or would like to contact Baston yourself, she can be reached at the City of Lawrence's Public Works Department at (785) 832-3021 or you can contact her by email at mbaston@ci.lawrence.ks.us.