Willing to Share, But Not as a Thoroughfare

The hours between 8AM and 11PM are supposed to be part of a sacred and peaceful time at the Uptown campus of Yeshiva University. This is the time of day when Amsterdam Avenue transforms itself from a busy street in the midst of Washington Heights, into the center of a very real and vibrant college campus. This transformation is one that goes unnoticed by the school and the local community and the reason is patently obvious: the school and local authorities refuse to allow the change to occur.

Amsterdam Avenue is supposed to be closed to through traffic from 8AM to 11PM, between 183^rd and 186^th streets. Traffic signs line adjacent streets announcing the closure, and the school's own directions to those traveling to the campus advise of the road's invisible barricade. However, the road continues to be used as a thoroughfare for the school and the community alike.

In the last month, two Yeshiva University students have been struck by vehicles while attempting to cross Amsterdam Avenue at the corner of 185^th Street, further proving the need for the street's closure. Long ago, plans were drawn up by YU to have the street physically sealed off. But the blueprints remained exactly that due to neighborhood opposition. It is time for the University to take the appropriate steps for the sake of protecting its student body. It is a comfort to know that Security checks ID cards to ensure the students' safety inside University buildings, but it is all meaningless if we cannot be safe while simply attempting to cross the street.