Original Post At SUUNews.com

By Dennis Busch, collective opinion of the 
University Journal Editorial Board

EDITORIAL: Pedestrians need more crosswalks on campus


Safety is an issue that should be at the forefront of discussion and planning regarding any college campus, and SUU is no exception.  

The Editorial Board of the University Journal applauds campus leaders for their efforts to make this a safe campus for all people who attend here. 

However, sometimes decisions are made out of the hands of our campus leaders. 

We have already praised the state's decision to create a pedestrian-friendly traffic light between the Sorensen P.E. Building and the Sharwan Smith Center, and we still feel that it provides safety for those who cross University Boulevard there.  

However, we feel great concern at the Department of Transportation's removal of the crosswalk at 600 West between the Institute of Religion and the campus. 

This area is a site of heavy pedestrian and automobile traffic. 

We understand that the Institute of Religion building is not a part of campus, but it is a common destination for a high percentage of SUU students, and deserves a safe path of travel.

Students continue to cross at that corner without the crosswalk, despite the safety risks.

This creates more risk for drivers who use University Boulevard as well.

Even though SUU has set out signs asking students to cross at the light, it does not change the fact that it is highly inconvenient to do so.

Students are creatures of habit, and for years, the crosswalk at 600 West was the best route to the Institute.

University Boulevard is such a highly traversed and long road, that one light is simply not enough for students crossing it.

This corner is not the only area lacking crosswalks.

The corner of 200 South and 800 West, between the Centrum Arena and the Harris Center parking lot is also busy, yet there is no safe way for pedestrians to cross. 

Though the flow of traffic around campus is important, so is the safety of our many pedestrians. 

We encourage campus leaders and the State of Utah to reexamine the removal of this crosswalk, and the creation of others around SUU. 
© 2009 Dennis Busch, University Journal