It’s a harrowing journey, walking from class to class on Chancellor’s. The massive on-rush of students, educational booths, and blinding Wilmington sunshine turn the average walk to class into a heart-pumping, dizzying event- not for the faint of heart. Things go wrong daily. For this fact, there are a few steps all UNC Wilmington students should follow when witnessing an accident on campus.

 Students using Chancellor’s can be divided into three main categories, from fastest to slowest: bikers, skate/long boarders, and walkers. The three groups of people have a natural hesitancy towards the others on the battlefield of Chancellor’s, each preferring their method of transportation. Most accidents start with one group refusing to move out of another’s way.

Though, there are a lot of one-man long/skateboard accidents.

In any case, for any sort of wipe out the three proper steps dictated by etiquette are as follows:

First: Check for signs of life. No matter how hilarious the fall or how many laws of physics and basic coordination the person(s) seemed to break, check for vital signs before you laugh. Be wary for things like blood, screaming, tears, visible bone, excessive cursing, or lack of movement for more than 23 seconds.

If someone is actually hurt, take the appropriate emergency action that corresponds to their level of injury.

Second: Here there are a few decisions to make. If the heat of their embarrassment washes over you as they scramble to get off the concrete, keep walking. Let them keep their pride. Continue to hold your laughter. If they seem a little more hesitant or sad to keep moving, perhaps crack a joke. The classic “Don’t worry, no one saw that,” does well to ease tension. If they have dropped their books, always stop and help them pick them back up. Always.  

Third: Finally, you can laugh now. It feels better laughing at this stage, because you’ve earned it. You are now free to replay the scene in your head for the rest of the day without any guilt. In class, eating lunch, talking to your friends, it is there to be entertaining whenever boredom creeps in.

The best way to avoid being the wipe out-er is to be preventative. Which means paying attention is key.

The various students are trying their best to get to class on time, at their own paces. The different speeds are hard to judge from atop a bike or board as well as from the ground. Looking up is the best chance at saving yourself the time and pain that comes with being a victim of Chancellor’s. A willingness to move three feet to the left or right also helps tremendously.

Be extra cautious around noon, when traffic is at an all-day high.

UNCW is a vast campus with a lot of students struggling to their next class. It’s hard enough to not only get out of bed, but to put on clothes and actually make it out the door. Everyone on Chancellor’s has managed to do that, so a sense of community should be shared amongst on-goers. Recognition of that should make the three steps easier to follow.

It is imperative that as students we act upon our manners and come together to make Chancellor’s walk an easy journey.