Shuttle service, safety campaign to debut

It has been said that a university is an institution of higher learning held together by the common grievance over parking. Certainly there is some truth to this revelation, but here at UNT we continue to be responsive to mobility needs on and around campus. We have some positive initiatives being implemented within the parking and transportation department that will benefit the entire campus community.

Our campus transportation will roll out a "new look" for the fall semester. We are instituting a new shuttle service, complete with new signs, route and schedule brochures and upgraded bus shelters. We encourage faculty and staff members to use this service and be a part of the new Eagle "e-trans" family.

On Sept. 6, we will kick off our Pedestrian and Traffic Safety campaign, a promotion of safety awareness to those in our campus community who bike, walk and drive. Daryl "Moose" Johnston, a former Dallas Cowboy, will be on hand to sign autographs and help us promote the event, which will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in front of the University Union. The first phase of the campaign will address pedestrian safety through education. The next phase will be one of enforcement; we will cite those who violate safety policies. New crosswalk stripes and bike signs across campus and raised crosswalks to slow traffic will improve traffic patterns.

The parking portion of our operation has been busy preparing for fall permit registrations. In the future, we will consider automating many of our procedures by utilizing the Internet for registration.

We will develop a "Parking Coordinator" network so that each department on campus will have a person assigned as its point of contact for distributing parking information. We plan to meet with all parking coordinators once a semester to distribute information and answer questions. Communication is the key to success, and this is a valuable way to allow each department to have contact with our office. An informational newsletter that introduces the Parking Coordinator initiative is being developed to be sent to all departments. Our goal is to have each department assign a representative for the spring semester.

We appreciate the continued support of all the university community and look forward to an eventful year.

Kurt J. Neufang (neufangk@ pdl.admin.unt.edu) is the assistant director for parking and transportation in the University Police Department.

Other featured articles in this issue:

• Campus construction projects progress
• Regents hear legislative appropriations requests
• Push is on to fill Fouts Field for game against Baylor
• Carnegie Foundation gives UNT highest designation
• 'Howdy Week' provides fun for students, faculty, staff
• Vehicle inspections have little impact, researcher finds
• Now students can choose academic theme floors
• New B.F.A. degrees approved
• Planning office surveys current, former students
• Answer line

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