Highlights of the College Park Senate meeting on November 12, 2007

1. Report of the Senate Human Relations Committee (Willie Brown, Chair)
   • Proposal to allow Graduate Assistants to designate 1 partner to allow access to campus-based privileges
   • Some discussion on who should be allowed under definition of "partner". Measure was sent back to committee for clarification.

2. Update on Strategic Plan by Provost (Nariman Farvardin)
   • Strategic Planning Committee has been meeting regularly.
   • Has completed survey of landscape of university according to several metrics with 5 peer institutions.
   • Forming subcommittees for each of 4 major initiative. Each subcommittee charged with tasks.
   • Starting to request feedback from the campus committee, starting with questionnaire on website.

3. Presentation on Purple Line by Vice President for Administrative Affairs (Douglas Duncan)
   • Purple line intended to connect suburban job centers that ring DC ("subway beltway").
   • Championed by Glendening in mid-90's
   • Conflict between Campus Master Plan and State of Maryland on role & location of Purple Line on College Park Campus.
   • Campus Master Plan
     • Goal to improve public transport, pedestrian traffic in campus
     • Commuters would come to edge of campus, and internal campus shuttles move people around campus
     • Campus would be reserved for shuttle buses, bicycles, pedestrians
     • Mass transit would bypass center of campus and follow Paint Branch Pkwy along edge of campus.
   • Maryland Purple Line Campus Segment Plans
     • Minimize conflict with existing traffic, coexist with pedestrians
     • Pass through campus as fast as possible (cheaply!)
     • Lower travel time = more riders, leads to lower cost per rider (needed to qualify for federal funding)
     • Ridership between Silver Spring and New Carrollton is questionable (UMD would be principal customer)
     • Stations planned at at East Campus, Main Campus, and UMUC
     • Route will try to minimize grades & curves (portion going through main campus likely underground)
     • State measured 25K pedestrians crossing campus drive, 7K vehicles traveling along campus drive
     • State considered 4 possible routes: Paint Branch, Stadium Drive, Field House Drive, Campus Drive
     • Campus Drive route preferred by State. Fewest engineering obstacles, most direct route.
     • Plan will provide 3-lane restricted road for both trains and buses along Campus Drive.
     • Reduce pedestrian crossings from 8 to 4 to reduce pedestrian traffic.
   • Concern that Campus Drive route will not be able to handle amount of pedestrian traffic.
   • State will be motivated try to strongly reduce pedestrians to minimize trip times.
   • $90 million for campus segment would increase to $250 million if completely underground through campus.
   • Campus proposed alternative Stadium Drive route to State. State examining options.
   • Want to avoid "Campus Drive or nothing" offer from State.
   • Question and Answer Session
     • Dean Halperin mentioned that research instruments near Stadium Drive are sensitive to vibration & magnetic fields.
     • Many faculty expressed concern that students would be adversely affected (noise, injuries, more time required to walk between classes) by Purple Line traffic.
     • Student representative expressed desire for Purple Line to pass through Campus Drive, in order to provide most access to students. States pedestrians currently deal with many shuttle buses just fine.
     • Faculty expressed sentiment state should make the investment in additional money needed for underground route. More expensive upfront, but reduces costs in the long run, and improves campus.
     • City of College Park refused to have Purple Line pass through downtown College Park.
     • Mentioned state feels it has final say on route, since UMCP campus is on state land. UMCP trying to find compromise more acceptable to campus community.
     • State will be trying to have proposed route ready by spring to apply for federal funding.
     • Wrapped up discussion by stating Purple Line is considered an overall plus to campus, and has support of administration.

Clyde Kruskal and Chau-Wen Tseng