UMD has a serious construction problem, and the time to act has come. This petition lays out the nature of the problem, and provides a simple, two-step plan to address it.

Most students support the improvement and development of our campus; we are in favor of erecting new buildings, renovating older ones, and even pushing forward with ambitious projects like the Purple Line. However, we are also aware of the adverse environmental and health impacts of pollution. Students and faculty alike want to breathe clean, unpolluted air, on a clean, unpolluted campus. They would also prefer minimal traffic jams and road/lane closures. Unfortunately, the methods, scope, and duration of current on-campus construction threaten these vital interests of our community.

Every day, students walk up STAMP Hill on the way to class to find their path blocked by a formidable array of orange barricades, fencing, and loud, lumbering machinery. It is challenging not to inhale the exhaust and dust they spew into the air. Combined with its negative impact on traffic, current construction evidently has a detrimental impact on productivity for everyone at University of Maryland.

To address these issues, I propose that the University implement two simple steps:

1. Launch a website or notification service to provide students and faculty with accurate, up-to-date information about road/lane closures, in addition to progress updates on ongoing construction projects. This would help to minimize traffic and other inconveniences.
2. Form a commission or investigatory body to assess the environmental impact of construction on campus (measuring emissions and air quality), and release the findings to the public.

If you care about pollution, air quality, and the physical state of our campus, I urge you to sign this petition. Thank you.