Walking the plank in our college

They have dug up a trench at the entrance of the college, and lined it with cement. It is a gutter. I am sure they will cover it properly when ready. In the meantime, they have placed a one foot wide plant across it for people to walk over. The intention is good, or perhaps that is the law. Unfortunately it is all twisted and wobbly. So when one steps on it, one is threatened to fall right into the gutter. The good part is that it is dry. The bad part is that one can get oneself all dirty at best and break a leg at worst. I watched a few people carefully stepping on it and balancing their way precariously to the college building. Yesterday evening I was on my way out, and saw one of our Associate Professors walking gingerly over the plank. "You know, it is a lot easier and safer to just step over the gutter like this, instead of stepping over the plank" I said. The Associate Professor turned around. I stepped across the gutter, which was just a foot wide. There was no comment, but a small smile in return. I think it is making up the minds of people for them. One puts a railing, and people hold it while walking by it. One puts up a plank across a gutter, and people walk over it instead of bypassing it, because they think it must be right to do so; otherwise why would anyone put a plank there?