The Floods of Samo

Anyone who goes to Samo knows better than to use the History bathrooms if they want to look in the mirror. It’s not surprising to see profanic puns on event posters while walking through the halls. Our years have seasoned us to appreciate the beauty in that the Science building and Drake pool signs will eternally be missing consonants. All of these endearing quirks are results of the massive and biodiverse school that is Samo. And being a public institution with over 2,500 students and thirty-three acres of land, we don’t expect luxury. While Samo has its outdated [yet harmless] problems that give it character, it also has faults: the misaligned bathroom door stalls, the “pets” in the music rooms and the excessive flooding that takes place on rainy days. The flooding that occurs after storms is a legitimate problem and obstacle for students; it’s time that we have this ongoing issue resolved. As residents of Los Angeles, rain isn’t a ubiquitous problem in our lives. Southern California weather doesn’t tend to deviate from the 73-75 degree spectrum. However, during the winter time, we do get precipitation. And when we do, it’s like going to school in the Biblical Great Flood. Since [from a relative standpoint] we don’t get an abundance of rain, the flooding isn’t a priority fix for Samo. While that makes sense in perspective with its other [more pending] problems, it is still a problem. Los Angeles gets about 15 inches of rain every year, and Samo does nothing. I remember flooding being an issue since elementary school. At Franklin, we’d have lunch indoors and go on “rainy day schedule” [avoid the outdoors at all costs-mode] due to overflow. At Lincoln, you’d have to jump over the rivers to get to class. The issue followed us to Samo. On rainy days, literal hopping is necessary to avoid being submerged. In addition to the floor flooding, there’s the drainage of the Language building’s gutters. Since it’s one of the older buildings at Samo, the Language building’s system of plumbing is outdated. Due to this, there’s excessive flooding from the pipes when rain comes. This flooding flows onto the surrounding walkways, making class commuting difficult and dampening.  Not only is the flooding a nuisance to students, but it’s damaging to the campus. Overwatering kills grass, all the caked-up dirt/leaves that come back up the drains litter the pavement and the flooding of the field affects sports at Samo. Sophomore Aidan Blain (’20) runs varsity sprinting events for Samo’s track and field program and since Samo’s campus is hilly and of differing altitudes, all of the water drains downhill onto the track and basketball courts.  “During track season, we have practice everyday during sixth, rain or shine. What it is that’s pesky about rain is the location of the field. It’s at the bottom and lowest part of Samo. Because of this, after it rains, they’re always giant puddles on the track. And so when you run, you get wet. When you’re running in wet shoes, it’s uncomfortable, and you don’t perform as well. Another reason it makes running more difficult is because the water contributes to drag. So you run slower than you normally could,” Blain said.While rain isn’t exactly a “constant” oppressor in our lives, it does happen. And if we want it fixed, we need to act. Inquiring to administration, submitting to suggestion boxes and speaking up is how change happens. The pressures of being a student are enough as it is, we don’t need the weather raining on our parade.