Student government leaders are meeting with borough and university officials this week for discussion on the Highlands Loop, a late-night bus route that's been a long-term goal for student body president Gavin Keirans.
Keirans, president of the University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA), said he hopes the talks will soon result in the implementation of a free extended-hours bus service.
Should university and borough officials give the go-ahead, the Highlands Loop will provide students with up to 10 stops downtown and around campus from 12:30 to 3:30 a.m. Friday through Sunday, Keirans said.
Keirans hopes to see the loop up and running by Nov. 1 for a trial period lasting through the academic year. It would then be up for review by university and borough officials to determine if it should be continued.
The cost for the trial period -- which Keirans estimates to be about $41,000 -- would be covered by UPUA. He said these funds will come from the 2009-2010 budget.
"We definitely believe that a year exploring it is worthwhile," Keirans said. "Especially if it leads to more safe measures."
Keirans was quick to point out that UPUA is not trying to encourage unsafe drinking habits, but offering what he called an "absolutely worthwhile and safe initiative to students." He hopes that will be made clear in the upcoming talks with university and borough officials.
"We really believe this has some merit behind it," Keirans said. "The loop would go to the off-campus areas, which would drastically reduce a lot of the issues that happen in the borough."
Vice President for Student Affairs Damon Sims wrote in an e-mail he finds the concept of the Highlands Loop very interesting, though he said it raises a number of questions for involved parties. He added that he is "eager to hear the mix of perspectives" he expects to encounter at the upcoming meetings.
Greek life has been a major factor in making plans for the loop. Keirans said he talked with more than 11 sororities to get their feedback. Interfraternity Council (IFC) President Luke Pierce has also been involved and will be included in the upcoming meeting with the university and borough officials.
Pierce said the IFC is happy to collaborate with UPUA in an effort to provide increased safety measures to fraternity members and their guests, as well as residents of the Highlands neighborhood.
