Rice seeks to create on its campus a rich learning environment in which
all students will meet individuals whose life experiences and world views
differ significantly from their own.
Rice University Application For Freshman Admission And Financial
Aid 1998
Problem:
Today, Rice is silently rejecting an important portion of its
potential student body. Rice's campus lacks many of the key features which
would allow disabled students to participate in the "Rice Experience" with
ease and dignity. Some examples of this lack of access are:
- In Physics Lab, after entering the one handicapped accessible
entrance, a flight of stairs is immediately encountered.
- Nearly all of the bookshelves within Fondren library are far
too close together for a wheelchair to maneuver between.
- In Sid Richardson College, the only access is provided through
a service elevator which is also used to take out the trash.
- The Baker Institute Building is equipped with doors which
are far to heavy for many disabled students to maneuver through.
- Disabled Student Services has its office located within the
RMC cloisters, and area which is not accessible to many disabled students.
Criteria:
- ADA REQUIREMENTS
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed in 1990 as a means
to prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability by public accommodations
and requires places of public accommodation and commercial facilities to
be designed, constructed, and altered in compliance with accessibility
standards established by the legislation. Non-compliance with ADA requirements
by an institution such as Rice can lead to the imposition of a stiff fine,
and ultimately to the revoking of all federal loans or grants. Consequently,
by law, Rice is required to make all facilities handicapped accessible.
- COMPETITION
Rice strives to deliver a top quality education comparable to other
well renowned universities. In order to fully compete with the other universities,
Rice must have a campus that is accessible to all.
- MORALITY
Creating a environment that is accessible to all is the morally correct
thing to do. Right now, the dignity is stripped away from everyone forced
to take the back doors "inside the hedges."
Solutions:
- COMMITMENT
A strong commitment to provide accessibility to all members of the
Rice community needs to be made. Along with this commitment comes a promise
to carry out and implement current and future plans regarding disability
access. Right now, the current policy allows the decay of ideas and plans
in the works. For example, six years ago, a plan was devised to add a ramp
to mail services; today, that ramp still does not exist. Planning for the
future must occur, especially when new construction is occurring. These
plans must be carried fully in a timely manner.
- RELOCATE CURRENTLY INACCESSIBLE SERVICES
Service offices such as Disabled Student Services, Health Services,
and the Rice Counseling Center should be moved into accessible locations.
An obvious location would be one of the new colleges.