University Times

Changes planned for Fifth & Bellefield intersection

To the editor:

The intersection at Fifth and Bellefield doesn’t have any crosswalk lights or an auditory device. Both are crucial in making the intersection safer, not only for the visually impaired, but for the entire community. This intersection is located right at the edge of the University of Pittsburgh campus and close to the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children.

Several members of the Islamic Center, at 4100 Bigelow Boulevard, and other area organizations have noticed how dangerous this intersection is. In order to live out their faith values as Muslims, members of the Islamic Center are proud to have taken the lead to make this dangerous pedestrian crossing safer for the entire community. Over the past few weeks, the Islamic Center has met with various community groups and city officials to see how this issue could be resolved. Thankfully, they have now come to a resolution.

At a press conference organized by the Islamic Center and scheduled to be held Oct. 10 at 5 p.m. [after the University Times went to press], Robert Kaczorowski, director of the Department of Public Works for the city, was expected to announce that the following essential changes would be made to the intersection: installation of auditory devices, crosswalk signals, and a 3-second delay for cars to establish the right of way for pedestrians.

The changes are expected to  be implemented by the end of the year.

The Islamic Center is grateful to the Department of Public Works, the Pennsylvania Interfaith Impact Network, the Community of Reconciliation Church, and the University of Pittsburgh’s Students for Disability Advocacy group, among others, in supporting this action. The Islamic Center looks forward to re-engaging with these groups on other issues in the future.

Fatimah Salim

Research Technician III

Department of Endocrinology

School of Medicine

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Sustainability subcommittee meeting open to all faculty

To the editor:

The next meeting of the University Senate sustainability subcommittee (SusC) of the plant utilization and planning committee (PUPC) is scheduled for Oct. 16 at 3 p.m. in the Martin Room, 4127 Sennott Square. SusC, chaired by Attilio “Buck” Favorini of theatre arts and co-chaired by Jim Becker of psychiatry, takes up all appropriate matters relating to sustainability practices and policies on campus.

SusC membership is informal, and all interested faculty are invited. Meetings are regularly attended by key staff from Facilities Management, Purchasing, Marketing and Communications, Transportation and Fleet Services, Food Services and other responsibility centers where sustainability issues figure into resource management. As well, designated representatives from student organizations dedicated to sustainability and environmental issues also are welcome. SusC thus provides a unique opportunity for all segments of the University community to share ideas on an issue of great importance to the campus and beyond.

In cooperation with University staff and administration, SusC has worked to encourage and effect energy-saving and environmentally protective practices throughout the University community. SusC also has supported the successful effort to significantly raise the University’s scores in various national measures of “greenest” or “coolest” schools and to support the appointment of a sustainability coordinator (Dan Marcinko of Facilities Management).

The Oct. 16 meeting will be devoted to setting the agenda for the current academic year and also will feature a presentation by Jinx Walton, director of Computing Services and Systems Development, on energy use in the University’s data centers.

For more information, contact Buck Favorini at bucfav@pitt.edu. To be added to the mailing list and be notified of meetings, contact Lori Molinaro, secretary of the University Senate, at lam06@pitt.edu.

Attilio “Buck” Favorini

Chair

University Senate sustainability subcommittee

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