Great news! Campus Safety Chief Ed Callahan responded thoughtfully to my email just two hours after I sent it last night. If you’re not familiar with the issue, see my previous post. I’ve obtained permission from him to post his reply.
Philip,
Thank you for your comments relative to pedestrian safety and vehicles on campus. We do try to balance all of the needs of pedestrians and vehicle operators who traverse our campus roads on a daily basis.
I must say that from a Public Safety perspective on a good day it is a daunting task. One which is compounded by illegally parked student vehicles which accrue hundreds of dollars in parking citations per year.I would also like to see a car free campus at some point. A campus which is served by a multi level garage structure which would alleviate a good percentage of cars from the Main campus. Perhaps you would like to discuss this point and the long term North Academic Quad matter with Daniel Feldman, Vice President of Capital Projects.
Please understand that vehicular traffic at the Rabb intersection is also a concern which often creates traffic problems all the way down the length of the East Quad Road. We do balance both needs and attempt to expedite vehicle movement which sometimes impacts the response of Emergency vehicles to our campus. In addition a good percentage of the vehicles in question are operated by Faculty who are arriving to teach class, students both undergrads and grad who drive onto campus as well as Bran vans and buses which are deployed to transport students to class.
As a long term employee and Director of the Department of Public Safety I share your safety related concerns.
Best Regards,
Edward M. Callahan
Director of Public Safety
It’s great to hear that Ed Callahan supports a car-free campus. I intend to further pursue this issue with Daniel Feldman, as he suggests.
To be continued…