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Show www.dailyutahchronicle.corn 5 OPINION Wednesday, October 27, 2010 Charity event focuses on community HEATHER LINDSAY StaffWriter 0 WILLUS BRANHAM/The Daily Utah Chronicl Pedestrians in peril at the U Maintenance vans should stay off restricted areas W alking around the U can be quite enjoyable during this time of year. The slightly cooler weather and the changing leaves make taking a campus stroll a serene experience. Of course, nothing snaps that serenity faster than having a large white van come barreling down the sidewalk at you. Unfortunately, it seems dodging out of the way of motor vehicles has become a necessary element of being a pedestrian at the U. I understand there are many instances when it is essential for vehicles to drive on the sidewalk. In order to keep the campus running, deliveries and maintenance need to occur. Because not all buildings have road access, workers need to get a little more creative with their routes—which often means driving on sidewalks. Vehicles are allowed to drive on about 4o B ecause Commuter Services does not solely patrol the sidewalks, we need more people to report violations." Lora Mortensen — percent of campus sidewalks as long as they have the required permit, according to the U's Plant Operations website. In fact, maps of the sidewalks that can or can't be driven on are also found on the website, which could StaffWriter help reduce any confusion concerning where vehicles are permitted. However, despite the provided maps and required permits, the rules aren't always followed, which can be inconvenient and annoying to those walking on campus. I have no problem with the vehicles driving in designated areas—it's when they stray into what I like to think of as safe zones that I get irked. I hate being snuck up on, and it is especially unnerving when it is a large maintenance vehicle doing the sneaking. Vehicles are allowed to drive only 5 mph when on sidewalks, according to Policy 3-233. This is crucial for the safety of pedestrians as well as the operators of the vehicles. Of course, a car going only 5 mph also tends to be quieter than one traveling at a faster speed. This creates the possibility of vehicles surprising pedestrians. It's for this reason that I try to stick to grassy paths and areas where vehicles aren't allowed. However, when vehicles enter restricted areas, it foils this tactic. Big violation sites seem to be the area between OSH and the Language and Communication Building as well as the Marriott Library Plaza. There are signs clearly posted that say, "No Motor Vehicles Beyond This Point," but one doesn't have to hang around too long in either location to see vehicles drive right past these signs. In its list of sidewalk procedures, Plant Operations clearly said, "Under no conditions are vehicles allowed to park or drive on or across the Marriott Library Plaza or the plaza between Orson Spencer Hall and the Language and Communication Building." Of course there are exceptions to every rule. "The only exception would be if there is some sort of maintenance that needs to be done and there is no other option but to drive a vehicle onto the plaza," said Lora Mortensen from the Plant Operations director's office. However, these exceptions are few and far between. For those caught violating sidewalk-use regulations, punishments do exist. Mortensen said vehicles can be ticketed by Commuter Services for being in areas they shouldn't be, but it's difficult to catch all transgressors. "Because Commuter Services does not solely patrol the sidewalks, we need more people to report violations," Mortensen said. "It is as simple as a phone call to (8oi) 5813204 and giving the dispatcher the location that the violation is taking place." So for those who, like me, seem to get overly irritated by vehicles cutting them off or sneaking up behind them while they are in the supposed vehicle-free zones, simply keep the Commuter Services number programmed in your cell phone and feel free to report any infractions you witness. n a crisp fall night, the U turned from a proper scholastic institution into a world of wonder and magic, otherwise known as Hogwarts. Last week, students involved with the Union Programming Council covered the campus with Harry Potter posters, fliers and dementor-delivered reminders about Crimson Nights. However, Friday's Crimson Nights was focused not only on fun for students but also the needs of the homeless. The "Black Pumpkin Affair" was a charity event that raised money, food and awareness for the Utah Food Bank. Alec Duffy, the associate director of Crimson Nights for the UPC, said the community aspect of this Crimson Nights is one of its greatest appeals. "This one is for charity," Duffy said, which the UPC thought would be a big draw for students. Hunger is an issue that often goes unnoticed. It seems bizarre that people in our own state go hungry every night, yet it's a reality for many Utahns. More than 134,000 Utahns receive food stamps and more than 63,000 eat dinner at a soup kitchen, according to www.utahfoodbank.org. On top of that, one in seven Utah children is at risk of hunger. Hunger is real for many, and Crimson Nights brought attention and aid to this problem. Duffy predicted 3,000 to 4,000 students would attend, and the reaction of these students was positive. As Halloween approaches and people start getting into the spooky mood of the week, Crimson Nights will be remembered as a great start to the festivities for those students as well as those in need. letters@ chronicle.utah.edu Utahns receive accring odbankorg. liv letters@chronicle.utah.edu twi ,ot tw,wipt ,ot speak twitter maltweetedWI I0t twiljot Raltwead ear on the tw7ttt need more tweets?t www.dailyutahchronicle.com tw twi twe twa I ernMet n • c peak tt et need ore t ets?+ mothertwvcker iWit. On "Business school ranks No. 38" (Josh Bennett, Oct. 26, 2010) News Disappointed DESBer posted 10.26.10 @ 12:48 P.M. But the DESB undergrad program still manages to be (ranked) one of the worst in the nation. Awesome. On "Cheap veggies would improve student health" (Logan Froerer, Oct. 26, 2010) Opinion Anonymous posted 10.26.10 @ 9:30 A.M. Hope springs eternal. On "U rewards teaching and research" (Vincent Pecora, Oct. 21, 2010) Letter to the editor, Opinion twe tlemania r he Anonymous posted 10.22.10 @ 3:47 P.M. Perhaps Dr. Pecora would like to re-examine his own argument. He notes that Ms. Murphy made her case based on the comments of one professor, which (of course) puts her argument on thin evidential ice. But, then he goes on to assert that the profs in the Comm department don't care about teaching: "Naturally, I am dismayed to hear that the communication department has so little regard for teaching excellence." Wait - didn't he just critique Murphy for doing the same thing? Naturally, I am dismayed that Dr. Pecora - the Chair of the English Department - engages in such shoddy logic! ets: lot speak twitter maltweeted twee d lot of ne eted e k t titt er er tweet a ittle harderspealkwratterr need more tweets? mothertw cker t wittertweet tweet re actwidiot widio twidiot rd t e tweet speak twitter h maltweeted k esr RsTr eet twittertw 71t rldWrit til 'Iss tweet a litt spe witter posted 10.25.10 @ 8:52 P.M. Ah well--I just said I was "dismayed to hear that the communication department has so little regard for teaching excellence." I chose my words carefully--"hear" (perhaps I should have said, "read"). I certainly do not "believe" that the communication department has so little regard for teaching excellence, especially given the source of the evidence, or I would have said as much. Obviously, communication studies at the U might have a PR problem, given the people they employ, but that is a different matter entirely. There is no logical problem here at all. 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