Annual Log 2012-2013

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Personal Safety Advisory Committee
Log of Concerns and Status Report 2012-2013
Last update: 5/1/2013
LOG Table of Contents:
SUMMARY
OPEN SYSTEMIC CONCERNS
OPEN CONCERNS (not reviewed or no solution yet):
PENDING CONCERNS (solution in progress):
LONG TERM CONCERNS
CLOSED CONCERNS
CLOSED SYSTEMIC CONCERNS
SUMMARY:
Opening Summary 2012-13 (as of 9/1/2012)
Open Concerns: 3
Pending Concerns: 22
Long Term Concerns: 5
Closed Concerns: cleared
TOTAL: 30
Closing Summary as of 5/1/2013
Open Systemic Concerns:
0
Open Concerns:
3
Pending Concerns:
13
Long Term Concerns:
8
Closed Concerns:
26
Closed Systemic Concerns:
1
TOTAL:
51
1
OPEN SYSTEMIC CONCERNS
None.
OPEN CONCERNS (not reviewed or no solution yet):
Dickinson Community:
Lighting Johnson and O’Connor
Date: 4/25/2013
The stairs between the current Johnson & O'Connor are not well lit, and now with all of the construction
going on and students need to use those stairs as a detour, it seems that this is a safety issue. I was
hoping that a lamp could be installed. I talked to Physical Facilities, and they said this was an issue to
bring up with the RD. Johnson doesn't have one (at least that I know of) so that is why I am coming to
you guys with this issue.
Jeff Horowitz
AD – Dickinson
email: jhorowi@binghamton.edu
phone: 607-777-2826
Ravi Prakriya (student)
Jason Boring
Resident Director
Champlain-Whitney-Johnson
email: jboring@binghamton.edu
phone: 607-777-7250
Physical Facilities:
Lighting to McGuire Building
I think more lighting needs to be installed near the crosswalk between Physical
Facilities and the McGuire Building. It is very dark there and difficult to see folks
walking from Physical Facilities to the parking lot. I’m afraid someone might get hit by
a car.
Joy S. Tassey
Administrative Assistant
Philosophy Department
jtassey@binghamton.edu
607-777-3616
Resolution:
The PSAC reviewed the area and determined that lighting is not a problem but that due to the four lanes
of traffic, signage is desired to alert drivers to the crosswalk in that area.
2
Hinman to Paid Lot
I just returned from a Workplace Violence Prevention walk-through at ISSS and Trisha Marrapese, the
new director, mentioned to me that she had fallen on a few occasions on the somewhat disquieting,
unlit and uneven pathway leading from Hinman Commons to the Paid Parking Lot. This is a pathway
she traverses frequently after dark. From what I understand, this walkway suffers from some other
issues as well, in terms of its structure, so it may already be on your radar.
As a former PSAC member (Trisha, PSAC is the Personal Safety Advisory Committee), I suspected your
campus-by-night tour is likely on the horizon and I am writing to ask that you and your team investigate
and escalate as appropriate.
Thank you for your help. And best wishes to all for a happy holiday weekend!
~Lisa
Lisa Havtur
Time and Attendance Coordinator
Human Resources
Binghamton University
PO Box 6000
Binghamton, NY 13902
607-777-3734
3
PENDING CONCERNS (solution in progress):
Reporting of safety concerns is not clear
1. Bill tried to report a problem and was told:
a. Contact Environmental Health and Safety (incorrect)
b. File it online (could not because a password is needed)
2. Res-Life thinks they cannot submit a concern. For example – referring to the sidewalk in
front of CIW (along lot Q1): Well, that’s not a “Residential” area so we can’t put in a request
officially….but we’ve been asking to have it fixed for ages. Am not sure who the walk
“belongs” to but it’s not us.
3. If neither Bill nor Res-life know how to submit a concern, then who does?
Resolution: Staff and students need to be instructed to call Customer Service at x2226 or email
pfcse@binghamton.edu to report routine maintenance issues. Possible postings on Dateline.
Nature Preserve Road closed during winter
Contacts: Dylan Horvath and Julian Shepard
Resolution: A study is being conducted to review pros and cons.
Escorts
 Date Logged: 4/29/2012
I think it would be vitally important to have an escort system in which a student can call a number and
have someone to walk with them after dark. For the past four years I have called the escort number
that Binghamton University provides but have always been told to "wait for the safe-ride shuttle." It is
not safe for young women to be waiting on the side of the brain or main road waiting for a van that may
or may not see them in the dark. That's why, again, I think it is vitally important for volunteers to be
available to walk with students across campus if need be.
Samantha B. Van Adelsberg
svanade1@binghamton.edu
 Responsible Party (name and email contact): NYSUP
 Action Taken: Finding students to work the midnight to 8am shift is difficult and priority goes to
staffing the shuttle. Daniel Chambers, Deputy Chief of Police is contacting Harpur’s Ferry to
determine if some sort of joint program could be implemented to provide coverage.
Resolution: Staff and students need to be instructed regarding their expectations for escorts. Escorts
cannot be provided as merely a convenience, but only for true safety concerns. Possible postings on
Dateline. One recommendation, is a phone app that shows the location of the safe ride vehicle on
campus, so that students will know of its arrival at certain locations.
Dickinson Community:
Lots T1 and T
From: Jessica L Krohn [mailto:jkrohn@binghamton.edu]
Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2012 12:47 PM
To: ziegler@binghamton.edu
Subject: Safety advisory council
4
I wanted to express concern about the lack of visibility when exiting the T1 lots or when backing out of
parking spaces that are outside of the T1 lots, along the road, near the construction. I believe the
visibility is limited due to the pick up trucks from the construction workers. I was wondering, perhaps
now or maybe when construction is completed, that the spots along the road, near T1, would be
changed to only allow compact cars to park there, thus enabling a greater level of visibility.
Jessica Krohn, LMSW
Interpersonal Violence Prevention Coordinator
Binghamton University, C4 rm 120
Phone: (607) 777-3062
Website: http://www.binghamton.edu/ivp/
Resolution:
Dear Jessica,
The PSAC has studied the areas of lots T (along the road) and T1 (offset from the road) and have made a
formal recommendation to Vice President VanVoorst and Associate Vice President Lawrence Roma, that
lot T be closed to parking. Lot T1 would remain open, but would be much safer to exit without cars
parked along the road in lot T.
MEMORANDUM
TO: James VanVoorst, Vice President
SUBJECT: Recommendation from Personal Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC) regarding parking lot T
FROM: W. Ziegler, Chair - PSAC
DATE: 12/12/2012
Vice President VanVoorst,
On the recent Campus-by-Night tour by all voting members of the Personal Safety Advisory Committee
(PSAC), a review was made of Parking Lot T. Upon review of the concern forwarded to us, a visit to Lot
T, and a subsequent meeting to discuss the situation, the PSAC wishes to recommend strongly the
closing of Lot T to parking. When Dickinson Community opens late this summer, there will be
approximately 3000 students living in Newing and Dickinson and those students will most likely walk
through the area of Lot T to get to destinations in the main classroom area of campus. With cars and
trucks parked along the street in the Lot T location, visibility is minimal, and especially dangerous as cars
and truck attempt to leave Lot T. Adding another 1,500 students crossing the street in that area when
Dickinson opens, on top of the current danger in that area, will create an even greater risk of a
car/pedestrian accident.
In summary, the Personal Safety Advisory Committee strongly recommends that Lot T be closed to
parking.
Bill Ziegler
Chair - PSAC
5
East Gym and Fit Space lighting
 Date: 4/30/12
The East Gym resident parking is in the back of the East Gym, where there is an entire wall of trees
blocking anyone from view if they wished to conceal themselves, it is not well lit, there are two short
cut areas that would make it seem a little safer that are blocked off so you have to walk where almost
no light reaches, and the parking in the front of the gym is for commuters only from 7am -6 pm. While
that does leave some time open for students to park in the front during hours when it is dark very late at
night or very early in the morning, there are still times when students are forced to park there when it
is dark. For instance my suite and I go to the gym at 6:10 in the morning and leave at 7:15. This means
that we still have to park in the back where there is no one around and still dark. This makes us
increasingly uncomfortable, and our parents are going to be emailing parking services at a later date to
voice their concerns about our safety on campus as well.
Rachelann Tripp (rtripp2@binghamton.edu)
 Responsible Party (name and email contact): Physical Facilities
 Action Taken: PSAC met with reps. from Fit Space, Parking Services, and OCCT. Recommendations
included improved shuttle service, new lighting, alternate parking restrictions/accomodations.
 Decision is to cut back shrub/tree growth away from that area to provide a more open environment
for pedestrians. Also, as new lighting is installed on the path along the tennis courts to ITC, then
that should provide residual light to the area of concern
 This area should be reviewed again fall 13.
Engineering Building
 Date: 3/1/13
when you pull down toward the dock area of the library ,at the intersection ,this is very dark an hard to
see students if they are crossing the intersection in the cross walk. I hope the pictures will help .I know a
light would really help.
From: Robert H Mulcahy [mailto:rmulcahy@binghamton.edu]
Safety Director & Asbestos Coordinator
Physical Facilities
From: Virginia A Bellinger <vbelling@binghamton.edu>
Date: Fri, Feb 1, 2013 at 2:37 AM
Subject: Light
Virginia Bellinger
Supervising Janitor
UU,Fine Arts,
Anderson Center
(607)777-2917
vbelling@binghamton.edu
6
Health Services
 Date logged in: 12/1/2011 and again 11/2012
Motorists do not recognize this area as a cross walk for students. The additional distractor of the ever
changing construction further complicates things. Students travelling to Health Services are often not
feeling their best and therefore not their "sharpest" in terms of noting details of their immediate
environment. Couple that with the fact that students are very casual about the way they cross
roadways and great concern exists. Personally I have stood at that crosswalk while several cars at a time
have passed with no apparent awareness that a crosswalk exists. This has included personal vehicles,
public transportation and University vehicles.
It is concerning. I appreciated your attention to this matter.
Johann Fiore-Conte
Director of Health & Counseling Services
Binghamton University
(607) 777-2221
FAX: (607) 777-2881
jmfconte@binghamton.edu
Resolution:
 Action Taken: Temporary Crosswalks and walkways were better marked
 When the new Dickinson Community is completed during the summer of 2013, a walkway will be
available along East Access Road all the way from Health Services to East/West Drive (the Brain)
without pedestrians needing to cross East Access Road. Because CIW students are likely to take a
short cut across the parking lot and then across East Access Road, we will review that area once
construction is complete.
 To be completed Summer 2013
ITC (Murray Hill Road)
Path and bridge from Child Care Center to ITC lighting needs to be improved.
 Date logged in: 12/1/2011 (originally recommended by PSAC in 2010)
 Reported by (name and email contact): Casey Wall – Res Life
 Status and date of status (open for review, under review, work pending, closed): No work scheduled
 Responsible Party (name and email contact): Physical Facilities
 From: Casey L Wall [mailto:cwall@binghamton.edu]
Sent: Monday, November 26, 2012 3:07 PM
An area of concern I have, is the sidewalk that runs from the track area past the day care center to
the bridge to Murray Hill. It is extremely dark there once it gets dark at night. The only light in the
area is a blue light, it is so dark you could literally run into someone, because you couldn't see them
in front of you.
Resolution:
The PSAC and Vice president VanVoorst toured this area and were quite surprised how dark it is (and
that we had not received more complaints). Physical Facilities (PF) accompanied us and saw the
7
problem first hand. PF has ordered lights for that area and they might already have been installed. If
not, they will be shortly.
Newing College:
Stairs to parking behind Bingham and Broome
 Date logged in: 12/1/2011 and 11/2012
I just had a resident come to me last week and mention that she had tripped and sprained her ankle on
the stairs between Bingham and Broome that lead down into the parking lot. She said that she had a
hard time seeing where she was stepping since the staircase isn’t well lit. I’ve tried to pay attention
when I drive by there when it’s dark out, and it does seem that they are a bit dimly lit.
Heidi R. Morton
Resident Director-Broome Hall
Newing College
Binghamton University
607-777-5273
 Action Taken: Your concern was reviewed and the location in question was visited by the Personal
Safety Advisory Committee. At the time of your email the lighting that was scheduled to be placed
near that area had not been done due to a problem with the contractor. Just a couple of weeks ago,
the lighting project was completed. However, I believe that new lighting problems have been
created in that area with the installation of the new lights and the removal of the older lights, so this
will remain an area of concern. Facilities is currently working on a plan to install additional lighting
in that area, especially from the stairway in question to the Newman Bridge.
Casey, Alberto, and Sean,
Each of you have written to me (the PSAC) regarding the same safety concerns regarding lightning
behind Newing, lighting in the S1, S2, S3 lots, and the path to the Newman (Troll) Bridge. The PSAC
along with Vice President VanVoorst visited this area and agree with your observations. The long delay
in having this resolved unfortunately became a difference of opinion on whether the contractor or the
University was responsible. The University has agreed to expedite the solution and will take
responsibility for getting it done. Some of the lighting is already in place and more is on the way. Here
are the concerns you stated and the resolution to each concern:




Newman Bridge railing: A new railing along the path to the bridge has been ordered and is
already in place or will be soon.
Newman Bridge lighting: New lighting has been designed, approved, funded, and ordered.
Installation may have begun, but will be completed by spring 2013.
Lot S1, S2, S3 lighting: New lighting has been designed, approved, funded, and ordered.
Installation may have begun, but will be completed by spring 2013.
Stairwell lighting on the north side of Broome Hall to Newman Bridge area: New lighting has
been designed, approved, funded, and ordered. Installation may have begun, but will be
completed by spring 2013.
8
Newing College:
Lighting along East Drive
 Date logged in: 4/29/13
From: B. Jean Fairbairn
Cc: Joy S Tassey; Kathryn N Perry; Andrea M Snyder; Bill Ziegler
Subject: Re: FW: Textbook Information Availability Needed by SSD for the Provision of Alternate Format
Textbooks to students with Print-related Disabilities
I’ve noticed as I drive out, that the night lighting around East Campus Housing is very low. I realize the
campus may be using energy-efficient bulbs in street lighting but there have been several occasions on
dark nights when students seem to simply appear in the road, a dangerous situation. I hope others have
noticed and raised this concern as well.
Resolution:
The Personal Safety Advisory Committee has visited this area due to a couple of others voicing your
same concern. Within the next several weeks, the entire lighting situation will change in that area as the
East Campus construction project nears completion. Once the sidewalk from Newing College to College
in the Woods is completed and the lights installed, that area should appear much brighter at night.
Paid Parking Lot
Lighting and railings
From: Lori A Fuller [mailto:loriv@binghamton.edu]
Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2012 10:00 AM
The area that most affects me is the paid parking lot. I pay the annual rate to park in the lot which
neither seems well lit or well kept in the winter. It looks as though they are adding more lighting which
will perhaps make the parking lot seem a bit safer.
The walkways that are in front of the parking lot also do not seem to be managed well in the winter. I
am always fearful that I will slip and fall. There is really nothing to grab onto to help if such an incident
were to happen. Though I wish I had the answer on how to fix this issue I can only make the suggestion
of putting in some type of railing to help stabilize your walk in case of inclement weather.
The other concern that I have is people crossing outside of the crosswalks when you are leaving campus
at night. I can’t tell you how many close calls I’ve had with people stepping off the curb without looking
or running in front you assuming that you can stop on a dime. Perhaps if the sidewalks had better
lighting so that you could actually see someone on them would help.
I realize all of this takes money and I wish you much success and appreciate your time on making our
campus safe.
Lori Fuller
Harpur College of Arts & Sciences
Binghamton University / LN2430
P.O. Box 6000
Binghamton, NY 13902-6000
(607) 777-6293 / fax (607) 777-4900
loriv@binghamton.edu
Resolution:
The PSAC, Lieutenant Bay of the University Police, and Vice-president Vanvoorst visited the paid parking
lot. All of the lights in that parking lot have now been replaced, and that should resolve your lighting
9
concern. The walkways down from the parking lot to the street and the railings have been put on the
schedule for remediation. In the meantime, the existing railings have been reinforced and repaired. I
do not have a timetable yet for the full remediation of the sidewalks, but will keep this concern as an
open topic for the PSAC to review. We all hope the situation in that area gets better very soon and if
not, please contact me again.
Regarding your concern for students stepping into the roadway; we all share your concern and fear and
it happens as much in daylight as at night, so additional lighting is not likely to stop that very dangerous
practice. We continually try to educate our students as to these dangers and I think that is the best we
can do. Studies are underway on how to reduce the overall traffic on the brain, but there is no easy
solution to that. The University Police are well aware of the problem and in fact while I was riding in one
of the police cars recently, a student walked right off the curb in front of us, so even driving a police car
is no assurance of safety.
Science 4 Crosswalk Signage
 Date logged in: 1/29/2012
The pedestrian crossing in front of (and just to the west of) Science 4 is well illuminated but the Caution
sign in the middle of the road that used to be there has been missing for months.
Ralph R. Miller
Distinguished Professor of Psychology & Director of Graduate Studies
 Action Taken: I discussed the missing crossing signs situation with Dan Chambers, Deputy Chief of
Police. Unfortunately, despite the low snowfall, many of the crossing signs that were located in the
roadways were destroyed by snow plows this winter. The signs cost between $500 and $1000 each,
and there is not a designated budget for these signs. At face value, it sure seems that this should
not be too difficult of a problem to resolve – simply remove the signs before plowing begins and
then put them back in the spring. We sure hope that will be the case for the future.
West Gym Crosswalk Lighting
 Date logged in: 1/29/2012 and 11/20/12
The pedestrian walk crossing the road in front of and just to the left of (exiting) the West Gym is totally
unilluminated. Hundreds if not thousands cross there each evening at unnecessarily risk of being hit by
a car or bus.
Ralph R. Miller
Distinguished Professor of Psychology
& Director of Graduate Studies
Telephone: (607) 777-2291
Secretary: (607) 777-2334
E-mail: rmiller@binghamton.edu

Action Taken: Your concerns were reviewed and the locations in question were visited by the
Personal Safety Advisory Committee. The crosswalk area near the West Gym is currently being
reviewed by Physical Facilities to determine how to improve lighting in that area.
10
LONG TERM CONCERNS
Apartments Community (Susquehanna/Hillside):
Walkway to/from Susquehanna - Hillside through Lot M to/from main campus or Hinman
Facilities refers to this project as the Pedestrian/Vehicle Project for Hinman
We recommend a designated walkway through Parking Lot M to Hinman and the main campus.
 Date logged in12/1/2011
 Reported by (name and email contact): Casey Wall, AD Residential Life
 Status and date of status (open for review, under review, work pending, closed): Pending
 Responsible Party (name and email contact): Physical Facilities
 Action Taken: Memo sent to Ms. Wall.
 Current Status unknown
Chenango Champlain Collegiate Center:
Pedestrian Safety DATE:
March 11, 2013
TO:
Brian Rose, Vice President for Student Affairs
James VanVoorst, Vice President Administration
Timothy Faughnan, Chief of Police
William Ziegler, Chair of Personal Safety Committee
FROM:
Suzanne Howell, Director of Residential Life and University Housing
RE:
Pedestrian Safety near East Campus Housing
I am writing to express my concern for pedestrian safety near new Newing College and Dickinson Community.
Beginning in the Fall 2013 semester, there will be approximately 2700 students residing in the two areas, and will
need to cross the main campus road in order to get to their classes. In January, an additional 333 residents will be
added once new Digman Hall opens up. It is my understanding that the University will be hiring a consulting firm
to review and make recommendations about current campus traffic patterns and parking areas, however, in the
meantime, I believe it is imperative that a temporary solution be put in place for the Fall. As the Director of
Residential Life and University Housing, I am very concerned about our students crossing the road.
As you are aware, the current traffic pattern of Campus Drive, allows cars to travel in two directions. The area in
front of Newing can become congested as students are crossing the road, this will only be exasperated with the
new Dickinson buildings coming on line. You are also aware of how dangerous and delayed, for both pedestrians
and drivers, it can become near the Lecture Hall as students are coming from Hinman or the Lecture Hall. Often
the people crossing in this area are not paying attention to the traffic, or assume that traffic will just stop for them,
and walk out into the road without looking. It is my belief this will be the same situation in the Newing/Dickinson
area, but with many more students living in that area, it will only be worse.
I would like to offer a temporary solution to this issue, until the transportation consultants complete their study of
the campus and offer permanent solutions. My suggestion is that the traffic pattern be limited to one way on East
Campus Drive between the entrance of the S-lots and the Connector Road. While this might cause some issues for
the campus community, I believe it will keep our resident students safer.
I would be happy to speak with you further about my concern. I look forward to hearing from you.
11
Response:
MEMORANDUM
DATE:
April 9, 2013
To:
Suzanne Howell, Director of Residential Life and University Housing
From:
William Ziegler, Chair Personal Safety Advisory Committee
CC:
Brian Rose, Vice President for Student Affairs
James VanVoorst, Vice President Administration
Timothy Faughnan, Chief of Police
PSAC Committee
RE:
Pedestrian Safety near East Campus Housing
Thank you for contacting the Personal Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC) regarding your concern for pedestrian safety near
new Newing College and Dickinson Community.
The PSAC met with Vice President VanVoorst and we discussed your concern and agree with your observations. Several
initiatives are in place, although for now, none of the initiatives involve restricting traffic to one way as per your suggestion.
The following are the initiatives:
1.
Vice President VanVoorst informed the PSAC that a comprehensive study is being performed by an outside
consulting firm regarding traffic and parking across the entire campus. While you may have heard of similar studies
being conducted in the past , these have tended to concentrate on isolated concerns rather than a comprehensive
review across the entire campus. This study is being overseen by the campus Parking Advisory Committee and the
Transportation Committee. Additionally, the overall concern for traffic and parking on campus is a topic with
recommendations from the Infrastructure Team of President Stenger’s Road Map initiative. The comprehensive
study is expected to be complete by the end of September, 2013.
2.
The PSAC is requesting that a real-time digital speed limit sign, similar to the ones on West Drive, be installed
on East Drive prior to the crosswalk that leads from old Dickinson to the large stairway to the East Gym. This request
has already been made and the plan would be for the sign to be installed this spring.
3.
All sidewalks in the new Dickinson Community and a sidewalk leading from Newing to the intersection of East
Drive and East Access Road will be complete by mid-summer which will take some of the pedestrian pressure off the
C4 crosswalks.
4.
All unnecessary fencing will be removed from the Dickinson construction site, which will allow better visibility
of pedestrians and vehicles.
5.
Lighting along East Access road in the area of the new Dickinson Community will be complete by mid-summer,
which will also permit better visibility.
While these initiatives are not currently specific to your recommendation, the PSAC and Vice President VanVoorst believe the
implementation of the above items and the results of the comprehensive study will lead to a viable solution to your concerns.
Thank you again for contacting the PSAC.
William Ziegler
12
East Access Road Sidewalk:
There are no sidewalks from the Health Services Center along the East Access Road to the housing
development to the south. The amount of foot traffic is evident by the paths worn through the grass.
This is especially dangerous during the winter months when plowed snow covers the pathways
through the grass.
 Date logged in: 1/9/2012 (originally recommended by PSAC in 2008 and every year thereafter)
 Reported by (name and email contact): PSAC
 Status and date of status (open for review, under review, work pending, closed): open
 Responsible Party (name and email contact): Physical Facilities
 Action Taken: Under review by Physical Facilities
Mountainview College
Walkway to/from Mountainview to/from Hinman:
There are no sidewalks along this roadway.
 Date logged in: 12/1/2011
 Reported by (name and email contact): PSAC
 Status and date of status (open for review, under review, work pending, closed): Open
 Responsible Party (name and email contact): Physical Facilities
 Action Taken
Mountainview College:
Walkway to/from Mountainview to/from Paid Parking Lot
The Mountainview Trail
 Date logged in: 1/6/2012
 Reported by (name and email contact): Tony Preus
 Status and date of status (open for review, under review, work pending, closed): Was scheduled to
be a long term improvement – Bill Ziegler has heard that this project has been removed from the
schedule –
o an update of the status is needed
o If the project is canceled, then where is the money the students contributed to this project?
 Responsible Party (name and email contact): Physical Facilities
 Action Taken
West Drive Sidewalk Removal Proposal:
The PSAC is concerned about a possible plan to remove sidewalks on the South side of West Drive
from Hinman College to Newing College
 Date logged in: 4/9/2012
 Reported by (name and email contact): PSAC
 Status and date of status (open for review, under review, work pending, closed): open
 Responsible Party (name and email contact): Physical Facilities
 Action Taken: Memo from PSAC to VP VanVoorst asking for a full safety review of the proposal
West Gym
Path from to West Gym from East Gym parking lot through the woods is not lit, nor is a blue light
visible while on that path.
13
An alternate (longer) path with lighting and blue light is available, however, off campus visitors have no
way of knowing that when making the trek from the East Gym parking lot to the Events Center or the
West Gym.
 Date logged in: 12/1/2011 (originally recommended by PSAC in 2010)
 Reported by (name and email contact): PSAC
 Status and date of status (open for review, under review, work pending, closed): Pending
 Responsible Party (name and email contact): Physical Facilities and NYSUP
 Action Taken:
West Gym:
Traffic and Crossing Pattern from West Gym to Science IV
An alternate crosswalk design has been submitted that makes pedestrian traffic much safer especially
when events end that are housed in the West Gym.
 Date logged in: 1/6/2012
 Reported by (name and email contact): Doug Bonawitz – NYSUP dbonawi@binghamton.edu 72393
 Status and date of status (open for review, under review, work pending, closed): Open
 Responsible Party (name and email contact): Physical Facilities
 Action Taken
14
CLOSED CONCERNS
Closed Concerns was cleared and a new log started 9/22/12 for 2012-13
Anderson Center
11/1/2012
The new walkways south of the Anderson Center look very nice, but there is a problem.
As one emerges from the south entrance of the Anderson Center walking toward the Bartle Library, one
encounters a curb that doesn't look like a curb. It appears to be at the same level as the walkway on
both sides of it, but as one proceeds in a southerly direction one has to step down from that curb. I've
missed that step a couple of times in the past several days, without falling, fortunately. If that section of
curb were painted yellow it would alert pedestrians to step down -- or up when coming from the
opposite direction.
Father Bob Sullivan
frbob@binghamton.edu
Resolution:
Walkway has been marked/painted
Apartments Community (Susquehanna/Hillside):
Skywalk P-gate (P-gate missing)
The existing P-gate needs to be closed and an additional set of P-gates need to be installed at the
bottom of the path where none currently exist.
 Date logged in: 12/1/2011
 Reported by (name and email contact): PSAC
 Status and date of status (open for review, under review, work pending, closed): Pending
 Responsible Party (name and email contact): Physical Facilities
 Action Taken: Facilities has assured PSAC that the gate will be installed Summer 2012
Resolution:
P-gate installed
Apartments Community (Susquehanna/Hillside):
Rockland/Saratoga Parking Lot P-gate
P-gate needs to be installed across the parking lot from Glimmerglass next to the dumpster.
 Date logged in: 12/1/2011
 Reported by (name and email contact): Casey Wall, AD Residential Life
 Status and date of status (open for review, under review, work pending, closed): Pending
 Responsible Party (name and email contact): Physical Facilities
 Action Taken: Memo to Ms. Wall. This project is currently scheduled for Summer 2012 via Physical
Facilities.
Resolution:
P-gate installed
Apartments Community (Susquehanna/Hillside):
ZZ Lot
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1) The ZZ South has a lot of pot holes and uneven ground all over it-the worst section is in the
middle of the parking lot and towards the front (by the road).
2) The sidewalk between Evangola and Darien also has holes and uneven ground. When it
rains sections (toward the stairs) have large puddles across the entire sidewalk.
3
Jessica Moore
Community Director, Hillside
Resolution:
Kristin and Suzi,
This was originally reported to the PSAC by Jessica, but I believe she has now left BU. However, I wanted
to provide you the current status of her concerns.
1) The ZZ South has a lot of pot holes and uneven ground all over it-the worst section is in the
middle of the parking lot and towards the front (by the road).
The PSAC visited this lot and spoke with Facilities regarding its condition. This lot has been
repaired but not completely repaved. Due to its remote location, this lot takes on a bit
lower priority than other roads and parking areas on campus. Facilities is aware of the
overall condition of ZZ and will monitor and repair as needed with a full repaving sometime
in the future.
At this point the PSAC will consider these concerns as resolved. If you feel otherwise, please let me
know.
Apartments Community (Susquehanna/Hillside):
The sidewalk between Evangola and Darien
The sidewalk between Evangola and Darien also has holes and uneven ground. When it rains sections
(toward the stairs) have large puddles across the entire sidewalk.
Jessica Moore
Community Director, Hillside
Resolution:
Kristin and Suzi,
This was originally reported to the PSAC by Jessica, but I believe she has now left BU. However, I wanted
to provide you the current status of her concerns.
1) The sidewalk between Evangola and Darien also has holes and uneven ground. When it rains
sections (toward the stairs) have large puddles across the entire sidewalk.
Facilities has informed the PSAC that this area has been repaired.
At this point the PSAC will consider these concerns as resolved. If you feel otherwise, please let me
know.
Apartments Community (Susquehanna/Hillside):
Skyward Trail pavement
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The skyward trail (walkway path between Hillside & Susquehanna) has a large hole/broken
ground in the middle of the sidewalk midway down. The students said a lot of students ride their
bikes down this path as well as walk and they were afraid the hole could be dangerous.
Jessica Moore
Community Director, Hillside
Resolution:
Kristin and Suzi,
This was originally reported to the PSAC by Jessica, but I believe she has now left BU. However, I wanted
to provide you the current status of her concerns.
The skyward trail (walkway path between Hillside & Susquehanna) has a large hole/broken
ground in the middle of the sidewalk midway down. The students said a lot of students ride their
bikes down this path as well as walk and they were afraid the hole could be dangerous.
On a recent tour, the PSAC determined that this area has been repaired.
At this point the PSAC will consider these concerns as resolved. If you feel otherwise, please let me
know.
CIW
Date Reported: 11/5/12
Action/Responsible: Physical Facilities
Concern:
Lack of lighting from CIW dining hall to parking lot
In CIW, the path from the front lot (where the buses drive through) to the walkway between Tuscarora
and Iroquois is not appropriately lit at night. There are two paths that students use, one paved with
loose or missing pavers and one lined with mulch and wood beams, when they come across the street
back to CIW after class or evening events in the Union. It is the main entryway into CIW and many
students have voiced this concern this year.
Reported by:
Scott Shuhert (via student concerns)
Residential Life
Assoc. Director of Operations
Resolution:
We spoke to Facilities soon after your concern was reported and they acted on it soon thereafter. We
have reviewed this area recently and have determined that:
1. the construction activity has been cleared from this area
2. all the lights are back on
3. The sidewalk and pavers have been repaired
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The PSAC now feels that your concern has been resolved. If you feel otherwise, please let me know.
College in the Woods:
P –gate needed on the walkway between CIW and Mountainview
 Date logged in: 1/6/2012
 Reported by (name and email contact): Tony Preus
 Status and date of status (open for review, under review, work pending, closed): Pending
 Responsible Party (name and email contact): Physical Facilities
Resolution:
Action Taken: A P-gate in this area will be problematic for emergency vehicles and will not be installed.
Dickinson Community:
Concern: Blue Light:
There is a need for a blue light on the East side of Dickinson along the road. The blue light in the woods
heading from Dickinson toward the East Gym is not visible when the leaves are on the trees.
 Date logged in: 12/1/2011 and again 11/2012
 Reported by (name and email contact): PSAC
 Status and date of status (open for review, under review, work pending, closed): Pending
 Responsible Party (name and email contact): Physical Facilities
Action Taken: Blue light installed
Dickinson Community:
Concern regarding the fencing that extends to the road next to the old Dickinson Dining Hall. With the
placement of this new fencing all pedestrians have been directed to cross diagonally through the
intersection. That intersection is dangerous enough because of the angle of East Access Road, but with
pedestrians now being asked to walk thru it is a bit much.
Scott Schuhert
Associate Director of Residential Life for Operations
Binghamton University
(607) 777-2322
sschuher@binghamton.edu
Action Taken: Fence blocking sidewalk removed. New crosswalks painted for additional visibility
Dickinson Community:
Lighting Concern
From: Sarah A Bull [mailto:sbull2@binghamton.edu]
Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2012 2:03 PM
To: William L Ziegler
Cc: Suzanne E Howell
Subject: Personal Safety Advisory Committee Input
The sidewalk that parallels The Brain that runs between Newing and Dickinson, as well as the
sidewalk to the right of the Dickinson basketball courts are very dark at night. Since these are
frequently-used paths for students travelling to and from class, it would be great if lights could
be added there. I really appreciate the fact that your committee is asking for input about
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improving campus safety. Thank you for all of your hard work!
Resolution:
The PSAC reviewed your concerns and we agree that the area is not as well lit as it could be. However,
this is a temporary situation and we feel that the problem is caused by the construction fencing in that
area and want you to know that the problems will be resolved as soon as the construction is completed
this summer (2013).
Dickinson Community:
Lots T1 and T
From: Jessica L Krohn [mailto:jkrohn@binghamton.edu]
Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2012 12:47 PM
To: ziegler@binghamton.edu
Subject: Safety advisory council
I wanted to express concern about the lack of visibility when exiting the T1 lots or when backing out of
parking spaces that are outside of the T1 lots, along the road, near the construction. I believe the
visibility is limited due to the pick up trucks from the construction workers. I was wondering, perhaps
now or maybe when construction is completed, that the spots along the road, near T1, would be
changed to only allow compact cars to park there, thus enabling a greater level of visibility.
Jessica Krohn, LMSW
Interpersonal Violence Prevention Coordinator
Binghamton University, C4 rm 120
Phone: (607) 777-3062
Website: http://www.binghamton.edu/ivp/
Resolution:
Dear Jessica,
I am writing to follow up on your concern to the PSAC. The PSAC has studied the areas of lots T (along
the road) and T1 (offset from the road) and have made a formal recommendation to Vice President
VanVoorst and Associate Vice President Lawrence Roma, that lot T be closed to parking. Lot T1 would
remain open, but would be much safer to exit without cars parked along the road in lot T.
Thank you for notifying the PSAC of your concern.
East Gym Crosswalk from Dickinson
 Date Logged: 4/29/2012
I have noticed a possible safety issue regarding the crosswalk near the path to the East Gym (where you
cross the street from Dickinson to the gym). The paint is nearly completely faded, and in less than full
light, I don't think that most drivers can tell that there is a crosswalk there. This is a more significant
issue, given the amount of traffic that path and crosswalk is receiving since the gym's opening.
Marisa Sweeney
Resident Assistant | Mohawk Hall
Binghamton University 2014
BS Accounting| BA Politics, Philosophy, & Law
516-263-3599; msweene4@binghamton.edu
 Responsible Party (name and email contact): Physical Facilities
Resolution:
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Action Taken: Crosswalks painted Fall 2012 and will be continually monitored by Physical Facilities.
Crosswalk painting will remain a problem until the truck traffic is reduced summer 2013 with the
completion of Dickinson Community construction.
Hinman to Lot M2
No crosswalk painted on roadway:
11/12/2013
About 50 feet from the intersection of West Drive and the Nature Preserve Road is a sidewalk leading
down from lot M2 to Hinman, but no crosswalk is painted in the roadway.
Reported by: PSAC on Campus by Night
 Resolution: The PSAC (as advised by Lieutenant Bay) does not wish to mark this as a crosswalk due
to the danger of crossing the road adjacent to such a busy intersection. A crosswalk just a short
distance from this area is marked and much safer.
Lecture Hall – Basement Lighting
 Date: 4/30/2012
many of us who work down in the basement areas have had our safety compromised by the new
"energy saving" lights reduction program which basically plunges the basement into darkness until you
get into extreme proximity to turn on a light. The effective reality is working in a very dark and
dangerous environment, and I actually carry a flashlight ... it is such a serious problem. We work hours
when there is little traffic down here, so the problem can be quite troubling. This effects staff as well as
student employees such as projectionists who work late at night and weekends. Also, there are no
emergency backup lighting units down here either, so the many times we have lost electricity in this
building, we have had to evacuate student classrooms using flashlights.
My recommendations would be:
1) Install emergency battery backup lighting units at locations near exits and classrooms (for
example in the Student Wing / LH buildings -- near room B13, and B32, and B90 to name a few
locations)
2) Reduce or remove the automated shut off lights in the basement hallway areas, or if
unable, install far more frequent motion sensors to turn on the lights, and enable the proximity
switches to turn on at great distances.
Adele Brown
Cinema Department
777-6345
Resolution:
 Action Taken: Wayne Schneider, Assistant Director of Facilities has reviewed the concern and does
not see a problem at this time. Please contact him and copy Bill Ziegler and Mike Kukawa if this
concern is still present.
Mountainview College:
P-stop missing - Walkway to/from Mountainview to/from Paid Parking Lot
P-stop is missing on NE corner of the Paid Parking Lot on walkway to Mountainview.
 Date logged in: 1/6/2012
 Reported by (name and email contact): Tony Preus
 Status and date of status (open for review, under review, work pending, closed): pending
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
Responsible Party (name and email contact): Physical Facilities
Resolution:
Action Taken: P-stop has been installed
Newing College:
Endicott Hall – driving on sidewalk
delivery people and students with loads in their cars - seem to think they can drive up the side walk and
right to the front door of Endicott Hall. So if you are in the parking lot area between Broome and
Endicott (where the Endicott RD & ARC park) they drive up the side walk there - and to the front door. -Casey L. Wall
Assistant Director of Residential Life
Newing College
Binghamton University
607-777-2864
reslife.binghamton.edu
cwall@binghamton.edu
Resolution:
University Police will patrol this area. Signs have been erected to prohibit driving on the sidewalk.
Newing College:
Lighting behind C4
Date: 2/2/2013
Casey Wall
behind C4 and the patio area outside of the dining hall seating area - again a lack of lighting. This is
specifically an issue, as when the "Nite Owl" opens in the dining hall - they close the gate by the other
dining hall seating entrance, forcing students to go around outside the patio entrance - where there is
no lighting.
Action Taken: Interior lights are used to light up that area. One night a movie was being shown and the
interior night-lights were shut off. Those lights are now back on.
Newing College:
Roadway in front of Bingham Hall
Roadway lane boundaries need to be painted around the entire corner in front of Bingham Hall
 Date logged in:12/1/2011
 Reported by (name and email contact): PSAC
 Status and date of status (open for review, under review, work pending, closed): Pending
 Responsible Party (name and email contact): NYSUP
Resolution: lines have been painted
Newing College:
No railings - Walkway to Bridge to churches and temple behind Newing:
Need a walkway railing from the Newing parking lot all the way down to the bridge. The walkway is
extremely steep.
 Date logged in: 12/1/2011 and 11/2012
 Reported by (name and email contact): PSAC
 Status and date of status (open for review, under review, work pending, closed): Pending
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

Responsible Party (name and email contact): Physical Facilities
Action Taken: This project is currently scheduled to be completed Summer 2012 via Physical
Facilities.
Resolution: Railings installed
Newing College:
Bridge washout - Bridge to churches and temples behind Newing:
The bridge washout is dangerous on the Murray Hill side of the bridge and a temporary railing should be
installed until permanent repairs are made. The north side of the bridge on the Murray Hill side does
have a temporary railing, but the south side of the bridge on the Murray Hill side does not.
 Date logged in: 12/1/2011 and 11/2012
 Reported by (name and email contact): PSAC
 Status and date of status (open for review, under review, work pending, closed): Pending
 Responsible Party (name and email contact): Physical Facilities
 Action Taken: This property This project is currently scheduled to be completed Summer 2012 via
Physical Facilities although there is a delay due to obtaining permission from the property owner on
the Murray Hill side of the bridge.
Resolution: Project complete
Newing College:
Poor lighting - Walkway to Bridge to churches and temple behind Newing:
Need a walkway railing from the Newing parking lot all the way down to the bridge. The walkway is
extremely steep.
 Date logged in: 12/1/2011 and 11/2012
 Reported by (name and email contact): Marguerite Ward '12, BU student,
mward2@binghamton.edu
 Status and date of status (open for review, under review, work pending, closed): Pending
 Responsible Party (name and email contact): Physical Facilities
 Action Taken : This project is currently scheduled to be completed before Summer 2012 via Physical
Facilities.
Memo to Ms. Ward and subsequent work by contractors of East Campus project:
The Personal Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC) reviewed your concerns and twelve members of the
PSAC visited the bridge location you referenced.
Concern:
The walkway behind Newing to the Newman Chapel has a blue light system, which is good, but the
walkway has several dark spots--both before and after you pass the blue-light pole.
Response:
The PSAC walked the bridge area after dark and agree with your concerns. We were informed that
the lighting system for the entire parking area that leads up to the bridge on the BU side has not
been installed due to a delay from the manufacturer for the designated lighting. We are expecting
the lights to be installed very soon and that will brighten up that entire area considerably. One
problem is that Binghamton University does not have any authority to provide lighting on the
Murray Hill Road side of the bridge. That area is private property so the best way to get anything
accomplished on that side of the bridge would be to work with the owners of that property and the
22
Newman Chapel. If the lights on the BU side are not installed in a reasonable amount of time,
please send me another email and I will take the problem directly to Vice President VanVoorst.
Casey, Alberto, and Sean,
Each of you have written to me (the PSAC) regarding the same safety concerns regarding lightning
behind Newing, lighting in the S1, S2, S3 lots, and the path to the Newman (Troll) Bridge. The PSAC
along with Vice President VanVoorst visited this area and agree with your observations. The long delay
in having this resolved unfortunately became a difference of opinion on whether the contractor or the
University was responsible. The University has agreed to expedite the solution and will take
responsibility for getting it done. Some of the lighting is already in place and more is on the way. Here
are the concerns you stated and the resolution to each concern:




Newman Bridge railing: A new railing along the path to the bridge has been ordered and is
already in place or will be soon.
Newman Bridge lighting: New lighting has been designed, approved, funded, and ordered.
Installation may have begun, but will be completed by spring 2013.
Lot S1, S2, S3 lighting: New lighting has been designed, approved, funded, and ordered.
Installation may have begun, but will be completed by spring 2013.
Stairwell lighting on the north side of Broome Hall to Newman Bridge area: New lighting has
been designed, approved, funded, and ordered. Installation may have begun, but will be
completed by spring 2013.
Resolution: Project complete
Paid Visitor Parking Lot:
Danger of lights falling into Parking Lot due to rotted light poles
Over a long period of time three light heads have been removed or fallen due to rot in the light
poles. This is the only remaining parking lot on the entire campus that still has wooden poles being
utilized to mount the lights in the lot. Additionally, there are two poles in the upper section of the paid
lot with lights secured to the poles using a makeshift arrangement of a large “U” bolt type
attachment. One of these poles has already lost half of its lighting due to rotted wood. This is an unsafe
condition for two reasons; one being the loss of lighting in a highly trafficked area for both pedestrians
moving back and forth from Mountainview and vehicles The second reason is that these light heads that
are not properly secured could fall on either a car or a person in the lot and cause significant harm.
Since BU has previously been alerted to these problems and made these long-term temporary fixes,
then the University could be liable for any injury or damage.
 Date logged in: 1/29/2012
 Reported by (name and email contact): PSAC Night Walk
Resolution: New lighting has been installed
Peace Quad
Date Reported: 9/05/12
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Action/Responsible: Physical Facilities notified 9/20/12 Wayne Schneider
Concern:
Lack of lighting along construction fence on the Peace Quad
My name is Morgan Appel and I am the Program Coordinator for the Dean of Students
Office. This requires me to stay late several evenings and I wanted to send an email to somebody about
the light walking through the peace quad now, and Beth Riley told me to contact you.
Even when the initial construction started on the union, students could still walk close enough to the
original sidewalk that there was enough lighting to see where you were going. Now that they have put
the fence up in the middle of the peace quad, every student that wants to go to Dickinson, Newing or C4
has to walk through the peace quad. Last night I had to do so to get to my car in Rafuse, and I realized
how truly unsafe I felt.
Aside the fact that it is dark, and creepy and somebody could potentially be waiting by the fence to
harm somebody, I physically bumped into a boy last night because we were both looking down
struggling to see if we were still walking on the sidewalk. I think there is potential to someone to get
hurt here, because neither the lights from Admin, the union, or Fine Arts reach the center of the peace
quad.
I am wondering if there is any way to put just one temporary light in the middle of the walkway in the
peace quad. I truly feel this will make a big difference. Please feel free to contact me and let me know if
you have any questions!
Reported by:
Morgan Appel , Program Coordinator for the Dean of Students Office.
Sarah Glose , student
Resolution:
There are lights there are lights! I cannot thank you enough for being so consistent in your responses to
me, as well as following through on an action plan. I almost feel guilty with how many lights they put up
but when students and myself left our meeting at 8:30 last night we were all elated to find that we could
see where we were going, and know if other people were near us. I cannot tell you enough how
impressed I am and how thankful I am to you for taking our concerns seriously. Thank you!
Morgan
Rockefeller Center
Date Reported: 9/20/12
Action/Responsible: Physical Facilities notified 9/20/12 Wayne Schneider
Concern:
Here is a summary of the issue, and I do want to say that it troubles me that although this was brought
up as an issue by our staff previously (Tony states “a few years ago”), yet no action has been taken by
Physical Facilities to rectify it.
Location:
Nelson A. Rockefeller Center, Side A, Ground Floor interior hallways
1. Hallway outside main entrance to Room G-1 and the two bathrooms
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2. Hallway outside rear interior exit door to Room G-1, near door leading to interior staircase
to fist floor
The same problem exists in both locations, insufficient lighting that makes the area dark and unsafe,
especially in the evening. Students are in the building until late at night to use the library on the first
floor, and then go downstairs to use the two bathrooms. Some staff in the G-1 office suite
(International Student and Scholar Services, Office of International Programs) routinely work in their
offices several hours past 5pm. It is very dark by the entrances to the two bathrooms, and equally as
dark at the rear entrance, which is used by staff to exit the office after hours.
Reported by:
Ellen H. Badger, Director
International Student & Scholar Services
Binghamton University, State University of New York
Box 6000, Binghamton, N.Y. 13902-6000 USA
1-607-777-2510 (phone)
1-607-777-2889 (fax)
ebadger@binghamton.edu
Resolution:
I just wanted to let you know that Wayne met with me about a week or so ago about the lighting in our
hallway, and new, much brighter LED lights are now installed. It makes a noticeable difference.
Regards,
Ellen
Traffic Circle (campus)
From: Michelle L Gierlach [mailto:mgierla1@binghamton.edu]
Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2012 11:02 AM
To: ziegler@binghamton.edu
Subject: Safety Considerations
I am writing to suggest a concern about a safety matter as was suggested in a faculty e-mail. This specific
suggestion involves the traffic circle located behind the Couper Administration building. Several times
throughout the semester, I have almost been t-boned as cars fail to yield in the lanes which come from
the parkway to the traffic circle, even though there is a bright yellow sign that reads: "both lanes must
yield." Most recently I had three cars fail to yield in a row at full speed. Would it be possible to think of
some suggestions for this, such as a speed bump or a patrol officer who can monitor the area?
Michelle Gierlach
Graduate Assistant: Organization Coach
Services for Students with Disabilities
Resolution:
The PSAC and Vice-president Vanvoorst visited and reviewed the area of your concern. We all drive that
same area and have witnessed the same sort of driving behaviors and feel that those behaviors happen
at most traffic circles and are an unintended consequence of the traffic circle concept. Lieutenant Bay
of the University Police visited that area with us (she is a member of the PSAC) and she has called for
increased patrols in that area.
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CLOSED SYSTEMIC CONCERNS
Construction checklist to include lighting
PSAC wants to see the checklist
Resolution: Complete
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