Let It Snow: Poor Driving Conditions on Campus

Safety has been a growing concern for the students, staff, and faculty of Pitt-Greensburg this winter, as snow accumulation has created hazardous driving conditions on campus. The Student Government Association (SGA) addressed these issues during their meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 21.

Complaints about snow-covered campus roads were brought up by a student to SGA Vice President Zakery Wiles, a junior public policy major. Wiles and the rest of the Senate decided to raise the issue with the maintenance department at a safety meeting scheduled for Feb. 18 at 11:45 a.m. in Village 118.

Wiles noted that the SGA has frequently addressed maintenance issues in the past.

“Issues with the salting of the roads come up a lot every winter, and, obviously, we had to discuss traffic light safety with them after that student unfortunately got hit at a red light last year,” Wiles said.

The incident Wiles is referring to occurred in the fall of 2023, when a student was hit by a car at the crosswalk at the main entrance on campus. The Student Government later held a discussion with the maintenance department about traffic safety.

SGA President Isaac Stephens, a junior political science major, explained the steps involved in handling complaints.

“When a problem like bad roads gets complained about to us, there are a few steps that need done; first it needs to be evaluated by the whole senate, and then we consult [SGA Advisor] Al [Thiel] about it and he weighs it in and offers suggestions for what we can do. And then I usually have to see [University President] Dr. [Bob] Gregerson about it in a private meeting,” Stephens said.

Stephens explained that after that private meeting, Dr. Gregerson then notifies the campus maintenance department and holds discussions on how to resolve the issue.

According to Thiel, the relationship between the Student Government and the maintenance department largely depends on Dr. Gregerson.

“Dr. Gregerson is almost always the one who handles problems like that when they come up. SGA’s President, Isaac, talks to him periodically to address those issues. Dr. Gregerson will then personally talk to the department heads that are in charge of fixing them, and it usually gets resolved,” Thiel said.

The SGA has invited Dr. Gregerson to the safety meeting in February. While it’s uncertain if he will attend, Wiles hopes the campus road issues will be addressed regardless.

“We’re not sure if he will actually be there, but he is more than welcome. But we do hope the problems with the roads on campus will be solved during the meeting regardless,” Wiles said.
For further questions, contact Isaac Stephens at ids15@pitt.edu, Zakery Wiles at zww8@pitt.edu, or Al Thiel at ajt58@pitt.edu.