By Jason Ethridge
The Scene staff
Forest Park has closed the basement-level tunnel between the theater building and D Tower, eliminating a shortcut for students, faculty and staff.
Facilities Manager Josh Dewitte said the tunnel has possible safety hazards, such as low-hanging pipes.
“The tunnel was never meant for student foot traffic,” he said, noting it originally was designed for maintenance use.
Workers locked doors on either side of the tunnel on Jan. 25, leading some people on campus to mistakenly believe it was just being closed for repairs.
General transfer student Ali Ali, 19, described the tunnel as an “easy route” that kept people from having to cross the courtyard and sheltered them from bad weather.
While going to music class, “it saved me about five minutes,” he said.
As of Jan. 31, there were no signs informing students, faculty and staff that the tunnel was closed, only locked doors at either end.
No notice was sent out because it initially wasn’t known if the tunnel would be inaccessible for good, according to Brittany Aladegbami, campus coordinator of marketing and communications.
“Anything that the student body needs to know will be told to them,” she said.
Dual high-school and college student Patra Patton, 17, expressed disappointment that the tunnel will no longer be accessible.
“It will be annoying to have to go to the lobby to fill up my water bottle,” she said, but she already has found a way around. “It’s not earth shattering.”
The tunnel from G Tower to the theater building remains open.
Campus police Lt. Terri Buford, who often used the tunnel from D Tower, is looking on the bright side of the closure.
“It’s a great way to get some exercise,” she said, noting it also will refresh her memory on how to get around Forest Park.