The following eight objectives are top priorities in creating a new beginning for the residents of Oakland and the greater community. Each of the objectives mentioned below has as its basis respect for human dignity.
- End University of Pittsburgh expansion in Oakland.
In order to increase the quality of life and rebuild Oakland’s residential community, student enrollment increases must end.
The Mark A Nordenberg Hall, which annually brings into our community an additional 559 first-year students, must be converted for use by upperclassmen. This will allow students who currently live in the residential neighborhood to move onto campus.
Pitt must conduct and release a comprehensive Impact Statement to assess the University’s effect on the community of Oakland from 1960 to the present, in order to fully understand the devastating decline of Oakland’s residential area. This assessment could be done under the leadership of a University faculty member with expertise in this area.
Future expansion plans by the University in Oakland must be preceded by an Impact Statement, indicating how the expansion would affect Oakland residents.
- Increase University funding for the community.
The actions taken by our grassroots movement since March 2007 for the improvement of Oakland’s community are well documented. Our recent initiative for the beautification of Joncaire Street has established a strong working relationship with Oakland Planning and Development Corporation, inspired decisive action by the city’s Chief Operations Officer Guy Costa, and produced encouraging remarks from Mayor Bill Peduto.
A bank account with a separate Tax ID number must be established by the University for funds that will be used exclusively for the betterment of Oakland’s residential community. To ensure accountability that the monies will be spent prudently and effectively, two designated signatures would be required for the release of any monies: that of the Chancellor or another University representative, and that of a representative from our grassroots organization.
The initial annual financial commitment by the University for the community fund would be $50 per student based on a population of 30,000 full-time undergraduate, graduate, and part-time students. After the University makes this commitment, the Universities of Carnegie Mellon, Chatham, Carlow, and Duquesne will be asked to contribute to the fund based on their own enrollment.
Money from the fund would be used for initiatives such as purchasing Oakland homes owned by absentee landlords, especially the landlords who have been troublesome for the community. The priority for the sales of these homes would be given to Pitt’s faculty, administrators, staff, and other potential longtime residents.
- Establish the SOUL Program, supported and funded by the University.
Since our first letter to former Chancellor Mark Nordenberg dated May 12, 1997, and in continuous actions since March 2007, our grassroots movement has advocated for daily maintenance and daily environmental enforcement for the litter and trash problems in Oakland. Monies from the fund would implement the SOUL Program for ending these problems. The funds would also provide the city of Pittsburgh monies for an environmental enforcement officer who would monitor the residential neighborhood for littering and inappropriate trash disposal. These two actions would supplement what OPDC and the University are now doing to curtail these problems.
- End student binge drinking problems.
Attending the University of Pittsburgh is a privilege that students should respect. The University must reassess its “zero tolerance” policy with stricter enforcement and disciplinary actions for students who break city drinking laws. Regrettably, many law-abiding students and longtime residents have chosen to leave Oakland because of the persistent binge drinking problem. Over the years the descendants of pre-University settlers and other longtime residents who stayed have suffered the most from this egregious problem.
OPDC recently received a $20,000 grant for each of the next three years from the Liquor Control Board to combat the binge drinking problem, a sum that is appreciated but inadequate. Additional monies from the above aforementioned fund would allow the hiring of additional police officers and staff to patrol the neighborhood during times when the problem is most prominent.
In order to create a more loving and peaceful environment, the University can assist Oakland residents by helping to persuade the city that a police station should be restored in the Oakland community.
- Increase transparency of University business and policies.
The Chancellor must set forth policy that allow greater freedom for University and student newspapers to express opinions and print information without interference from the administration. The University should rescind its support for an exemption to Pennsylvania’s Right to Know law to allow the local media and public greater access to University records.
Members of the University’s Board of Trustees make decisions that have tremendous impact upon the lives of Oakland residents, but residents have no written access to a board member except through the secretary. Board of Trustee members must be given a University email address for public use.
- Replace the University’s culture of fear with a culture of mutual respect and betterment.
University faculty care about the residents of Oakland, so it is not apathy that has prevented Pitt’s faculty from publicly supporting any of the objectives mentioned herein. The Chancellor must set forth policy that assures faculty members no retribution for expressing opinions different from those of the administration.
- Move the Homecoming week fireworks display to a location outside of Oakland.
The decades-old decision to have a Homecoming Week fireworks display in close proximity to the homes of longtime residents never should have been made, and must be reversed. No other community in the city of Pittsburgh has to endure such a massive fireworks display that jeopardizes the health and safety of nearby residents. Eighty percent of longtime residents on a street near the display asked the former Chancellor to move the display to a venue outside of Oakland, but their request was denied. The display could easily be moved to Heinz Field and most likely would have the additional benefit of increasing attendance for the University’s Homecoming football game.
- Establish human dignity as the highest priority of the University of Pittsburgh.
The Chancellor must set forth policy in which all decision will be made with human dignity as the highest priority for students, employees, and Oakland residents.
The solutions presented above are positive and practical, and are solutions that will lead to a mutually beneficial and harmonious relationship between the University and Oakland’s residential community. Any suggestions to benefit the community from the Chancellor or administrators that go beyond what is mentioned here will be gratefully appreciated.
Carlino Giampolo
October 28, 2014
OaklandDignity.com |