Despite elevator inspection several times a year, Penn State technicians are called about 150 times annually to rescue occupants from malfunctioning campus elevators, an Office of Physical Plant representative said.

The topic of elevator safety has roused attention recently, after an incident last week in which a freshman at Ohio State University died in an elevator accident. Andrew Polakowski was crushed after trying to exit a malfunctioning elevator between the roof of the elevator and the floor of a dormitory's third story, according to the Columbus Dispatch.

Amy Murray, Ohio State spokesperson, said the university is currently conducting an investigation into Polakowski's death.

"At this point, we are looking to make sure everything is as safe as can be," she said.

Murray said the university has been inspecting all dormitory elevators similar to the one where the fatality occurred. She added that not all elevators have passed inspection and those that failed have been shut down.

Office of Physical Plant spokesman Paul Ruskin said Penn State has 350 campus elevators that are inspected eight times every year.

"We do have situations where elevators don't function properly," he said referring to the 150 rescues made each year.

Ruskin said elevator problems usually occur in clusters during move-in weeks, sports camps and football weekends.

"On football weekends, you have a lot of people focusing on other things than proper elevator use," he said. "If they're used properly it really reduces the chance for malfunctions."

Ruskin said 100 of the rescues happen in residence hall elevators because of the 24-hour foot traffic.

"When people are stuck it could be that there is some physical problem with the elevator itself," he said. "However, it very often relates to improper usage of the elevator."

Ruskin said different state universities have different regulations.

"Universities all have the same problem of keeping elevators functioning... but the use patterns of elevators are probably similar," he said.

In 2003, Penn State student Katherine Ibanez died when she tried to escape a stalled elevator in Atherton Hall.

Although Ibanez is the only serious elevator injury in Penn State history, some students said her death was more than enough to make them more careful around elevators.

"I know after the incident [in 2003], I started being way more cautious," Sarah Bienkowski (senior-religious studies) said. "The thought that something would happen in an elevator started to cross my mind more."

A few weeks after Ibanez died, Elizabeth Masi (senior-kinesiology) was stuck in a Tener Hall elevator with two other people.

"It got caught between the 8th and 9th floors and was jerking around," Masi said. She said they were stuck for about 40 minutes before an elevator technician was able to free them.

After the incident, Masi said she tried to use the stairs more.

Ruskin said the stairways are logical substitutes for elevators.

"Think of them as mini-exercise machines we have put in every building to help students stay fit and healthy," he said.

Off-campus apartment buildings also encounter elevator problems, State College Police Sgt. Chris Fishel said.

He added that police only respond to calls that have not already been addressed by the building's maintenance staff, but they still encounter a few every week.

"[Elevator situations are] not something I'd say is really common," Fishel said. "It doesn't happen enough, but when it does I'm glad it wasn't me."