Safety causes controversy

- By Katie Winters, Managing Editor

In an effort to improve student safety, roadblocks were added to the  University Promenade, which runs from University Hall to Dickson Hall, this semester, which has caused controversy on campus.

Access to this road in the academic part of campus has always been denied to personal vehicles, but with no roadblocks and only a sign indicating that no left turn was allowed from Webster Road, many students and faculty have found the road to be convenient when picking up or dropping off large or heavy equipment and supplies in this area.

Montclair State Police Department has always had the right to ticket or tow personal vehicles in University Promenade. However, some students and staff cite much trouble in driving up to buildings.

Plans to block vehicle traffic on University Promenade have been in the master plan for several years  and similar roadblocks were introduced by the DuMont Center at the end of Skyline Way and by Freeman and Russ along Chapin Drive in previous semesters.

After a student was struck by a vehicle outside of Dickson Hall last semester, many saw the benefit in improving pedestrian safety on campus. However, many students and faculty do not see these roadblocks as a viable solution.

The roadblocks in question are large metal poles, spaced such that a car will not be able to proceed down University Promenade. They are placed into holes in the ground and are locked in place. Keys have been distributed to a number of faculty and staff working in the immediate area, as well as to local emergency services.

The roadblocks are heavy and the locks are on ground level, such that they can be covered with snow or ice after a storm.

Many worry about that the roadblocks will hinder emergency vehicles responding to an incident along University Promenade. Lt. Kieran Barrett said, “All police, fire agencies and emergency responders have immediate access to remove them and will do so for emergencies; we have had no problems with access for emergency purposes.”

One concern raised was that the roadblocks would be more difficult to remove if the cold weather causes freezing or if snow has not been properly removed.

One professor had a chance to speak to the Montclair Fire Department, who told the professor that they had keys but “rolled their eyes” at the subject of these new roadblocks.

Most of the opposition to the roadblocks comes from students and faculty in the fine arts departments.

“[Film students] have equipment that’s worth ten thousand dollars and they have to bring it across campus, with the chance of damage, whereas before they could just drive up to the building,” said Greg Hildebrandt, the manager of the Cage.

Hildebrandt said students making films would often need to rent and transport a camera in its case, cases of sound and lighting equipment as well as stands and sandbags, which would require several trips across campus.

Students working in Finely Hall, mostly MFA students who are responsible for providing their own supplies and materials, are also finding these new regulations difficult.

“It’s ludicrous to make [getting supplies to and from Calcia] so difficult; we’re a community,” said Professor Klaus Schnitzer, head of the photography department. “It’s going to be a problem for larger equipment. The University is saying ‘make smaller stuff’ basically.”

Schnitzer said, “There should be specific hours when people can have access.” He went on to say that the university did not contact the faculty in this decision and that “it’s very unprofessional.”

Faculty and staff hope that some sort of compromise can be reached along University Promenade.

Emails to the University administration were not returned.