By Matthew Fowler, Managing Editor
You’re going to need to find a new way to jostle yourself awake for those 8 a.m. classes soon. The potholes that have bounced drivers on Newman’s roads and in its parking lots are going to be repaired.
The repairs to the potholes, which have been delayed because of scheduling challenges and higher priority facility maintenance, are set to be completed during fall break in October – or potentially sooner. Though Icer Vaughn, Newman’s chief information officer and operations manager, didn’t say exactly which holes would be filled, he did say that heʼd identified four areas on campus where repairs would be made.
Easily observable potholes on campus, though, include two large depressions by the parking lot entrance next to the Dugan Library, a coned-off divot by the basketball court outside Merlini, two in the west gravel parking lot for Fugate dormitory, and four on Dondlinger Drive behind Eck.
Senior Mary Sicard said that the potholes have made navigating Newman’s parking lots and roads a challenge.
"It is really bumpy and sometimes you are driving and then your car just falls,” she said. “Not super comfortable. It is not ideal.”
Vaughan, said that a priority throughout planning for the repairs was ensuring that the repairs were built to withstand harsh conditions without disrupting campus activities.
“While it may seem simple to fill a pothole, properly making repairs can be complex and costly,” Vaughan said. “It involves more than just filling holes in a parking lot. We need to consider factors like the underlying cause, proper materials, weather conditions, and long-term durability. A quick fix may look good temporarily but often leads to the pothole re-forming quickly.”
An external contractor has been scheduled to come to campus on Oct. 11, when classes are not in session for fall break, but the contractor could complete the repairs on a Saturday before then if availability opens up, Vaughan said. Students and faculty will be notified if the schedule changes with a message in the Jet Broadcast.
“The reason we have identified Saturdays or fall break as the best day to make repairs is the fact we have drastically reduced campus traffic on non-school days,” Vaughan said. “It will help avoid a major traffic interruption.”
Junior Alexia Gamboa said that she believes repairing the parking lots is an important task that will benefit all drivers.
“Being able to have a safe but also functional parking lot will give students and professors a peace of mind that they donʼt have to worry about their vehicles getting damaged,” Gamboa said.
Before the potholes are filled, Vaughan said, drivers are encouraged to maintain safe driving practices.
“We appreciate the community’s patience and ask that everyone remain careful while driving in our lots and driveways, especially those with the pothole issues,” Vaughan said.
PHOTO: Vantage Staff
