Office of the Assemblies

Dear Gabe,

Thank you for forwarding UA Resolution #18, "Call for the Development of a Cornell Comprehensive Transportation Plan." Cornell must uphold its responsibilities as good stewards of our community and resources, and I appreciate the advocacy by the UA that we consider transportation needs strategically and pursue improvements thoughtfully.

The safety of students, faculty and staff on campus is of paramount importance. To that end, our Facilities and Campus Services Division and other campus units are involved in a number of different efforts to help address known transportation problems and ensure a safe, efficient transportation system. The North Campus transportation study initiated last fall has identified several potential opportunities to improve traffic safety. This effort, along with the recent establishment of the Cornell Campus Transportation Safety Council, represent significant steps forward in protecting the members of our campus community. Additionally, Cornell continues to work closely with TCAT and participating municipalities to optimize mass transit solutions for our students and our workforce. Any changes to the transit system service that we pursue with TCAT will be appropriately shared with the UA and other assemblies.

Considering the scope of the efforts already underway to address transportation on campus as well as the considerable cost of a separate comprehensive transportation study (on the order of hundreds of thousands of dollars), I do not feel that initiating a comprehensive transportation study is in order at this time. I do, however, agree that a review of transportation needs, challenges and opportunities is appropriate. The Facilities and Campus Services Division has undertaken a review of the 2008 Campus Master Plan, and I have asked Vice President Burgess to include an assessment of our transportation system in that review, including the results of the North Campus transportation study as suggested in the resolution.

Thank you for supporting the dedicated efforts of our Transportation Services and Planning departments. Your strong interest and advocacy underline the importance of well-crafted transportation solutions for our community.

Sincerely,

Martha E. Pollack

President, Cornell University

300 Day Hall

Ithaca, NY 14853

Tel: 607-255-5201

www.cornell.edu