Catering to students’ safety, the University Police Department and the University Parking Office are currently working to improve pedestrian and vehicle interaction.
Both departments had received several complaints of near misses due to jaywalking, specifically around Friendship Circle. In response, a change is underway to create a more effective visual for drivers to avoid pedestrians.
“They’re going to eliminate some of the parking places right next to the crosswalks,” said Cora Von Aspern, business manager for Parking Operations. “Parking will initiate it, and physical plant will go to the space and paint out the spaces on the side of where the traffic is coming from, which will give the driver more of a visual of who’s coming.”
According to Aspern, the change will occur as listed in Physical Plant’s schedule of operations. Currently, guards from the Parking Office aid crossing at Friendship Circle twice per day to assure smooth traffic flow.
“Luckily, we’ve had very few serious incidents on campus in the last 10 to 15 years, where someone was hit by a vehicle and injured,” said Lt. Patrick Gipson. “The resolution to this problem is mutual respect. Mutual respect solves a lot of situations. Pedestrians need to be respectful of vehicles, and drivers of cars need to be respectful of pedestrians. You may not always see them crossing.”
Gipson feels there are a variety of safety concerns on campus, which could be diminished by more awareness.
“One of our most common crimes is theft,” said Gipson. “There are a lot of students and non-students on campus. Just because you see someone walking with a backpack, doesn’t mean they’re a student.”
The department provides an after-hours escort service, a function of which the UPD Gipson believes many students are unaware.
“If someone needs to get somewhere and they don’t feel safe, we can have someone walk with them,” said Gipson. “We will get somewhere as soon as we can. We can’t give rides, but we can get them there safely.”
All students are expected to follow the Student Code of Conduct whether on or off campus. This policy helps students to avoid criminal records.
“In some situations, we can send students to the Office of Student Conduct, instead of them having a court citation on their record for minor possession,” said Gipson. “They’ll be held accountable to the Office of Student Conduct instead of the city court so we can help them avoid a criminal record.”
The UPD encourages students to bring any questions or concerns to their attention, whether or not there is an emergency situation. For non-emergencies, contact the UPD at 985-549-3835 or visit the office located in Pride Hall. For emergencies, call 985-549-2222.
For more information regarding traffic rules and regulations, contact the parking office at 985-549-5695.
Colby Blackburn, freshman social work major, crosses the street around Friendship Circle on her way to class. Physical Plant is scheduled to create a more effective visual for drivers to avoid pedestrians. They plan to paint out the parking spaces directly on the sides of the crosswalks.
The Lion’s Roar / Allison Crady