Tootling around campus on a bicycle or blades is the norm for many students at OU.
And with the plethora of longboards zipping by, some may forget the art of hoofing it across the South Oval.
This routine mode of transportation is slower than biking or skating, but for one student she is content to keep her feet firmly planted on the ground.
Some students refuse to use wheeled transportation because they simply can’t afford it and some are just self-conscious.
“I’d look ridiculous on a bike,” said Hailey Powell, University College freshman.
Because of this fear Powell said she is perpetually late to her class located in Sarkeys Energy Center.
“I go from Dale Hall to Sarkeys. I have 10 minutes to get there, and it normally takes about 15,” she said.
But Powell said she hasn’t scouted a route to get there any faster.
“I don’t do anything special to get there faster. I cut through the grass sometimes, but I’m always late,” Powell said.
And Powell isn’t the only one who has no shortcut.
“I don’t have any shortcuts; it’s pretty much a straight walk to my classes,” said Michael Wiggins, University College freshman.
As well as being late to class and being forced to sit in the front row everyday because of the lack of seating options, Powell said she is extremely fearful of the bikes, scooters and longboards as she traverses campus.
“I catch myself looking over my shoulder [for them],” Powell said.
And depending where students are going, they would be looking over their shoulder for quite the hike.
The two farthest buildings from anywhere on campus are often Catlett Music Center and Sarkeys Energy Center.
For Sooners walking to class because they can’t afford a bike or other means of faster transportation, options do exist.
Every week day from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., the last run beginning at 3:40 p.m., CART offers shuttle service. The shuttle makes stops from as far away as Lloyd Noble Cente and stops at various places throughout campus such as Sarkeys and the Physical Science Center.
Interior design junior Maggie Dursing takes the bus most days before making the trek across campus.
“I enjoy the walk because I get to see people and say, ‘hi’. I ride the trolley to campus and get off at the library. I only have two classes on campus, but the walk’s not bad,” Dursing said.
Whether people walk out of necessity or preference walking is the most popular ways to get to class, and it is simple and easy, regardless of being slower and potentially dangerous due to traffic.
“I don’t mind walking,” Powell stated, “It gets me where I need to go.”
AT A GLANCE: Step by step, campus trips
Are you left walking on campus? Here are a couple of calorie counts:
Dale Hall to Sarkeys Energy Center (.65 miles)
It's a 12-minute walk at a brisk pace. You will burn about 57.7 calories.
Walker- Adams Mall to Catlett Music Center (.65 Miles)
It's about a 12-minute walk at a brisk pace. You will burn about 58 calories
Source: Pedometer Lite app on the iPhone
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TheFleaman 7 months, 1 week ago
What the actual heck?