University Impact Aid Law
This law would provide funding to communities
impacted by a university’s presence
City Council Testimony – September 12, 2012
Working Points
What communities in Pittsburgh are most impacted by a university’s presence in or near their community?
The communities of Oakland, South Side, Shadyside, Squirrel Hill and Bloomfield are most impacted because of the presence of universities in or near their communities.
How are communities affected by a university’s presence?
1) There is a tremendous burden placed upon long-time residents which includes having to deal with binge drinking problems, including illegal alcohol sales conducted by students in the community.
2) Inordinate litter and trash problems
3) Long-time residents experience disrespect, intimidation, and fear of retaliation by students after reporting problems to the police.
4) The mental health of long-time residents is endangered because of living with the anxiety and stress caused by the actions of disorderly students, especially during the late night hours when such residents are awakened from their sleep by the noise from student drinking parties.
5) Traffic problems
6) Parking problems
7) Universities purchase large pieces of property in the community for their own use without benefit to the community.
8) Long-time resident population decreases as student population increases, thereby changing the character of the community.
What universities in Pittsburgh most impact a community?
Approximate number of full-time undergraduate and graduate students
- University of Pittsburgh 24,600
- Carnegie Mellon University 10,900
- Duquesne University 9,300
- Point Park University 2,600
- Chatham University 2,200
- Carlow University 1,700
Why is such a law necessary?
This law is necessary:
1) To ease the hardship of those long-time residents affected by the presence of a university in or near their community.
2) Because university administrators have a responsibility and moral obligation to address the special challenges of long-time residents who are affected by the presence of the university.
3) Because communities cannot force university administrators to provide adequate funding to resolve community problems caused by a university’s presence.
4) When university administrators do not adequately provide for a safe and clean environment for long-time residents in their community.
5) When university administrators are consciously indifferent to satisfying the needs of a community which is impacted by the presence of their university.
6) To compel university administrators to provide general aid to a community for resolving those problems caused by a university’s presence.
What are the criteria to determine if a university falls under this law?
(Two criteria are sufficient)
- A university has an enrollment of more than 1,000 full-time undergraduate and graduate students, excluding online students.
- A university has ownership of more than 10 buildings within a community.
- A university has more than 200 students living within a residential community.
- A university’s main campus lies within the city of Pittsburgh.
What amount of funding must a university provide for a community?
$20 for each full-time undergraduate and graduate student enrolled at the university.
Who receives the money allocated from a university?
The funding would be earmarked “restricted” and would go to one umbrella charity organization such as the United Way or The Pittsburgh Foundation which would dispense the funds to the communities. All residential organizations within a community will be eligible to receive the funding.
What are a few of the projects that a community can employ with its university impact aid money?
1) Funding for a daily maintenance litter program.
2) Funding for a full-time city environmental enforcement officer.
3) Funding for workers to patrol a community Thursday through Sunday from 9pm to 1am who would report drinking problems to the police, thus removing the burden and danger for long-time residents of having to face retaliation from students for reporting such problems.
4) Funding for beautification projects.
5) Funding for staff workers of residential organizations to carry out the solutions for resolving the problems caused by the impact of a university’s presence in or near their community.
Carlino Giampolo
Note: Pittsburgh City Council has taken no action to initiate a University Impact Aid Law.
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