It’s been touted as one of the “top 100” ways to have fun at Stanford University, but students and the campus community need to be aware that the unauthorized past time of “tunneling” has caused some very real harm – and has the potential to cause more if the practice is not discontinued.

About six weeks ago, a long-time employee of the School of Medicine was out for a lunchtime walk with a colleague along Santa Teresa Street, enjoying the spring foliage and birds. Without warning, she stepped into an open manhole on a paved path. Fortunately, she was able to catch herself before plummeting all the way to the bottom – nine feet below. But the fall still resulted in several bones broken in her leg and some fractured ribs. She is still recovering and has endured considerable pain and suffering as a result of this totally unexpected – and avoidable – injury. And it could have been even worse. Had she not caught herself she could have easily had a fatal fall.

After an investigation, the campus authorities responsible for the campus steam tunnels and underground utility spaces determined that there was an unauthorized entry into the manhole, and careless disregard for safety on the part of whoever left the hole open.

There are additional reasons why an unauthorized entry into the underground utility spaces is unlawful and a trespassing crime, punishable by prosecution and referral to the university’s Judicial Affairs system.

Dean Murray, associate director of thermal distribution systems for the campus, notes that anyone entering the tunnels could be exposed to serious safety hazards, including oxygen deficiency, toxic gases and other dangers not easily detected by the senses. Every year, about 100 worker fatalities in the U.S. are linked to unsafe entry into such confined spaces (per the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health.) At Stanford, all personnel who enter the underground steam tunnel system are required to be specifically trained and equipped to do so.

We agree with Dean Murray’s assessment that the risks of tunneling are simply not worth it. We urge the student body to stop the illicit and illegal practice. Each member of the campus community should take responsibility to prevent friends from participating in the dangerous tunneling activity, and recognize that it has unnecessarily caused great bodily harm to a highly respected and valued member of the university community.

Philip Pizzo
Dean, School of Medicine

Laura Wilson
Chief, Stanford Department of Public Safety