The university's newfound attention to the issue of elevator safety is only somewhat reassuring ("Stickers provide elevator safety tips," March 23). One wonders why such measures were taken only after -- and not long before -- the tragic Dec. 5, 2003, death of a student in a residence hall elevator? Since arriving at Penn State in 2000, I have witnessed several instances of stuck elevators and heard many stories of additional incidents. I imagine that most Penn State students would say the same.

The Daily Collegian's article fails to mention that a stuck elevator very quickly evolves from an inconvenience to a severe emergency. Oxygen supply can diminish, the air temperature can rise to uncomfortable levels, and panic, claustrophobia, and rest room needs can provoke occupants to take extreme measures. Cell phones, if present, may not work in elevators encased in shafts. According to your Dec. 8, 2003, news story, "Students tell conflicting story of fall," the elevator occupants followed all five steps on the new stickers, but doing so did not prevent a death.

Penn State should consider expanding the "remain in the elevator" instruction to read "remain in the elevator until a positively-identified police officer or elevator technician instructs otherwise." The university's new measures are a start in the right direction.

It is a shame that it took the violent death of a young person to provoke it to take action.