The University of Michigan has recently introduced a new form of transportation – an autonomous shuttle expediting the process of walking to and fro around campus. Since the shuttle’s launch, there have been discussions as to whether to duplicate the technology elsewhere.
As innovative the apparatus may be, Bucs better be cautious before requesting such a service on our own campus. Although the high-tech vehicle would doubtless save students time on their treks and attract prospective students, we must also consider the cons of that decision.
Our tuition was recently raised by 2.3%, and students were not happy. Acquiring such a transportation system would certainly not be free, and although I shall not venture an estimate of the price, I think it would be rather substantial and may require another tuition increase.
Practically speaking, since we already have the BucShot and the Johnson City Transit, I question how much time and energy another transport vehicle would really save. We already have free transportation services that parade us through campus, so even though the shuttle would save students some time, I do not think it would be that much.
Besides, the University of Michigan has a much larger campus to educate their approximate 30,000 students. According to U.S. News, the sprawling campus covers 3,207 acres, while ETSU’s covers only 366. We lack their need for cross-campus transportation to start with.
In my opinion, the greatest reason to for us to maintain the status quo is that a little walking (or running – if you’re late for class) is more beneficial than we realize. Quite frankly, walking across campus a few times a day helps keep your body moving and in shape to a limited extent. Walking’s also been shown to help the mind.
“Walking brings with it a lot of physical benefits … building strength and endurance,” Jeanna Johnson, a clinical instructor with the College of Public Health, said. “Walking is one of the … few exercises that research has shown to improve cognitive abilities as well, and we don’t really know exactly why that is, but it is something that is being recommended to everyone.”
The amount of walking to maintain health varies by person.
“10,000 steps is a general guideline,” Johnson said. “But depending on your physical ability or certain limitations, you may even lower that. But it is something that is being recommended … for that cognitive improvement that we see to hopefully stave off certain things … such as dementia.”
One day ETSU may be big enough to need one or many autonomous shuttles, but that time isn’t now. Let’s enjoy our serene pilgrimage to class with nature’s music tranquilly reverberating within the cathedral of our ears … unless you really want to take the BucShot.
