By KJ Burns, Managing Editor
A tree along the walkway between Carrocci Hall and De Mattias Hall was trimmed after a first-year student said a low-hanging branch hit her in the head and resulted in a concussion.
The student, who preferred not to be named, said she was returning to her dorm after a recent meeting in DeMattias Hall when the incident occurred.
It was a windy day, she said, and she had walked beneath the tree several times before as part of her normal route.
She said she was looking down at her phone because she had several notifications when a gust of wind caused a branch to bounce into the top of her head.
“At first, I was a little confused as to what was going on, so I just kept walking and thinking I just took a bop on the head,” she said.
The student initially walked off the injury but said she experienced headaches for five days afterward. She also said she took frequent naps and had difficulty thinking clearly.
After eventually being diagnosed with a concussion, she said many of her symptoms worsened about a week after the incident.
Throughout her recovery, the student said her professors, athletic trainers and advisers were helpful and focused on her recovery.
Afterward, one of the student’s friends notified Director of Student Activities Joshua Prilliman about the incident.
“The tree was quickly trimmed once a friend of mine told staff, but I’m surprised it wasn’t noticed sooner,” she said.
She said the walkway is frequently used by students living in Carrocci and that she had heard of multiple people hitting their heads on the same low-hanging branch before it was trimmed.
Director of Residence Life Ian Lecki said the university’s groundskeeping team is responsible for maintaining campus grounds, including trimming trees and removing potentially hazardous branches.
“While our team works hard to maintain the grounds, weather and other environmental factors can occasionally create unexpected hazards,” Lecki said. “This is why we encourage students to report any potential safety concerns to a trusted faculty or staff member so they can be addressed promptly.”
Lecki said maintaining campus safety is a shared responsibility and encouraged students to report potential hazards and use designated walking paths.
PHOTO: KJ Burns, Managing Editor
