Whitman College is a beautiful stretch of green fields, bridges over babbling streams, and picturesque buildings set amongst the trees.

And that’s the problem.

When I first arrived at Whitman College in August, I was excited for the life I would build on such a vibrant campus, yet I quickly became disillusioned with the careful architecture and landscaping of the college as I realized how ill-equipped it was to host many of my classmates.

For an institution that professes its attention to inclusion and diversity, this campus has many issues when it comes to providing for disabled members of our community. The truth is that winding paths and grassy lawns are pretty, but far from accessible, something that I recognize each time an outing with one of my friends who uses a mobility aid turns into an obstacle course or a scavenger hunt for a safe way back onto a sidewalk.

When most people picture accessibility, they immediately think of ramps, automatic doors and elevators. However, at Whitman, even these things can pose a challenge. While it is obvious that there has been an attempt to integrate accessibility into the campus architecture, there are many notable oversights in the way these things are implemented. Though the campus does have a few ramps, some, like the ramp leading to the entrance of Jewett Hall and Cafe, are obstacles in and of themselves. I worry for my friends who, after a long day of going to and from classes, must use great amounts of strength and endurance to push themselves up a ramp that on its best days is exhausting and, on its worst, very dangerous. Many buildings do have buttons to automatically open doors, but only on some entrances, meaning that people may have to waste time and energy checking multiple doors to find what they are looking for. Even the elevators at Whitman are less than ideal, as I have noticed that several display out-of-date inspection certificates. 

The landscaping at Whitman College is downright magical at times, with streams snaking through hundreds of trees and the lush lawns. But when my friend Elvie Besio injured their foot and needed to use a knee scooter, they quickly pointed out to me the many ways that the landscaping overlooks the needs of people using mobility aids.

As I walked them back to their dorm one afternoon, Elvie told me about how even the sidewalks had become an obstacle to them. With many sections having subtle inclines, gaps and cracking, as well as being unlevel with the path around them, navigating a straight stretch of concrete could be difficult, as the scooter would throw them around and get stuck on bumps. Just the texture of the concrete made it hard for Elvie to get to class, as random increments of rocky sidewalks jostled their injury.

“It’s really hard to maneuver,” Besio said. “Those things are not mountain bikes. They don’t go over bumps very well and you can feel every little bump.”

Add on the ever-present threat of the Whitman sprinkler system deciding to turn on and spray you with water, and my friend was struggling to get anywhere on time. The field also made it difficult for them to access benches and tables, leaving them without somewhere to stop and take a break or spend time outdoors.

“There’s not much accessible seating for people with wheelchairs or mobility aids because a lot of them are just in the middle of the grass and it’s really hard to go off-road. It’s really scary. [People using mobility aids] can’t enjoy the nature,” Besio said.

These small inconveniences and oversights can add up quickly, making campus life more difficult overall as simply getting around takes significant planning and energy. While many of us are able to ignore things like cracks in the sidewalk, ill-placed curbs and seating being placed on grass, these things are entirely noticeable to others in our community.

Whitman College has a responsibility to all of its students to create a learning environment that fosters success, and while they specifically state their commitment to accessibility, they are clearly falling short. As students, it is our responsibility to hold the college accountable, listen to the needs of our classmates and advocate for improvement. Our peers deserve to focus on their education and futures, rather than on just getting across campus or accessing a building. Whitman College needs more than just an attempt at accessibility, this school needs to address these issues in order to better the lives of its students.

As a community, we must remember that aesthetics of our campus cannot come before the people who live here, as true beauty includes everyone.