On Monday, Feb. 3, first-year English major Alex Aghishian was transported from campus to the hospital for injuries she sustained after falling on a patch of ice on campus.

The accident occurred when Alghishian was walking from her class to her room in Johnson-Macfarlane (JMAC) hall. According to Alghishian, the incident occurred around 10 a.m. on a stretch of sidewalk between JMAC and Nelson Hall.

“It was just ice and more ice and I slipped and fell,” she said. “I felt the pain just shoot up my back, and I felt my spine crack a little.”

Alghishian reported not being able to move her legs for at least five minutes after the fall.
“When I was on the ground I couldn’t move my legs,” said Alghishian. “I remember being horrified that I could be paralyzed for life.”

She said some of the members of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity helped her after she slipped, and they contacted the Department of Campus Safety (DCS) shortly thereafter. DCS then contacted paramedics.

“I couldn’t move, so [DCS] contacted the paramedics, and the paramedics came, and I was in the hospital by 10:45 a.m.,” said Alghishian.

At the hospital, Alghishian says X-rays revealed a compression fracture at the bottom of her spine.
Alghishian re-visited the emergency room on Saturday, Feb. 15, due to the pain she was still experiencing after the fall. She said she will be visiting a spine specialist to address lingering issues related to the incident and that she will likely need to complete physical therapy after a six-week healing period.

“We are sorry the student is still feeling the effects of their fall,” said Department of Campus Safety (DCS) Sergeant Stephen Banet on Feb. 18. “When our officers notice areas that are in need of special attention, no matter if it is ice, snow or broken glass, our officers routinely notify the grounds department so they are aware.”

He further encouraged students to be mindful of their surroundings, especially during icy weather conditions.

“I would suggest that all community members be aware of ground conditions as they are walking and to take reasonable precautions,” said Banet.

Alghishian said that she considered contacting DU Disability Services after her fall, but ultimately decided to just talk with her professors about the issue. She took her midterms a week late, but says she feels her professors have not been as accommodating as they could be of her injury.

She said the lack of accommodation from her teachers has also upset her parents.

“I don’t think the school has handled it well at all,” she said. “My parents are frustrated with the school.”

However, Alghishian said she does not plan to contact the school or raise the issue further in any other way.