Pitt's impact can be felt on almost every street in and around Oakland. The growth of buildings, the movement of people, and the flow of traffic in and around the neighborhood are all affected by what Pitt does. As Pitt continues to grow and change, we must develop responsive solutions to alleviate some of the pressure the University puts on the neighborhood.
Guided by community input, we are focusing on four priorities:
To improve connections with the community, Pitt commits to:
- Create a monthly Community Conversations forum
- Develop a strategy to better inform the community about construction
- Formalize the process for fielding and responding to construction concerns
- Document and communicate police-community relations efforts
- Continue programs to improve student integration with the Oakland neighborhood
Building bridges to connect students and residents
Pitt leads and partners with others to offer a number of programs to help its nearly 20,000 students better integrate with the neighborhood:
- Be a Good Neighbor educates students about their impact on the residential neighborhood
- Be a Good Neighbor Student Guide informs students of their rights and responsibilities while living off campus
- PittServes engages students in meaningful volunteer service to the community
- Community Assistant Program matches students with community-based non-profit organizations across Homewood, the Hill District, and Oakland for year-long capacity building placements
- Off-Campus Safety Ambassadors equips students to take on a public health role in the neighborhoods around campus
Be a Good Neighbor Block Parties
Block parties create opportunities for students and neighborhood residents to meet, enjoy food and music together, and build neighborly bonds. See coverage of our fall 2021 Block Parties.Pitt police & the community
Pitt Police partners with Oakland Planning and Development Corporation and Pittsburgh Police Zone 4 to enforce housing codes and reduce crime in the neighborhood.
Let's Talk
Please join us for interactive, resident-focused discussions featuring a monthly theme, presentations from community partners, open conversation, and updates from Oakwatch: the Code Enforcement Project.To reduce litter, Pitt commits to:
- Invest in Oakland Neighborhood Quality programs
- Mobilize students for litter reduction in the neighborhood
- Place more trash and recycling containers near the campus edge
- Continue support for OBID’s Clean and Safe program
- Develop metrics and monitor the effectiveness of litter reduction programs
Keeping the neighborhood clean
Pitt contributes money, time, and effort to reducing litter and improving waste management in and around Oakland.
- Adopt-a-Block is a volunteer litter control program
- Oakwatch: The Code Enforcement Project is a collaborative effort by several Oakland stakeholders to enforce housing codes and reduce crime
- Clutter for a Cause is a donation program that encourages a greener student move-in and move-out process
Zero Waste
Pitt is committed to reducing waste by 25% by 2030. The Office of Sustainability is mobilizing students to do their part in the neighborhoodTo support relationships between students and neighbors, Pitt commits to:
- Fund the hiring of a full-time code enforcement officer for Oakland
- Continue Pitt Police as the point of contact for reporting concerns
- Enhance the partnership between Pitt Police and the Office of Student Conduct
- Establish standards for listing off-campus properties
- Study issuance of residential parking permits
- Address landlord, student, and neighborhood concerns regarding off-campus living
- Establish Pitt Community Action Teams
- Continue to communicate and apply our student code of conduct
Off-Campus Student Life
We are committed to ensuring that Pitt students are knowledgeable and conscientious residents of Oakland and the surrounding neighborhoods of Pittsburgh.
Whether students live in Pitt-owned housing or rent from Oakland landlords, we’re taking steps to improve off-campus living conditions through a mix of community partnerships, direct investment, and student services.
- Off-Campus Living helps students find quality apartments and be responsible neighbors
- Oakland Landlord Alliance is a cooperative roundtable of Oakland landlords convened by the Oakland Planning and Development Corporation
- The Office of Student Conduct promotes good citizenship and oversees Pitt’s response to student misconduct.
- The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life enhances the development of students in Greek-letter organizations in harmony with the mission of the University.
Pitt Concern Connection
Together, we are building a culture where everyone feels comfortable raising concerns and asking questions. Use the Pitt Concern Connection to ask questions and report concerns.Off-Campus Safety Ambassadors
Pitt's Neighborhood Enhancement Strategy includes plans to form teams of student, staff, and community leadership that work together to cultivate positive neighborhood behaviors and relationships through immersive collaboration with residents.
Launched to support student health and safety during the COVID-19 Pandemic, Pitt’s Off-Campus Safety Ambassadors program recruits students to engage their fellow students and community residents, share important public health information, and help people connect with resources.
To address parking and transportation concerns, Pitt commits to:
- Enhance Pitt's Transportation Demand Management to reduce the share of single-occupancy vehicle commuters
- Improve parking management to ease traffic congestion
- Work with Port Authority to enhance bus service, introduce bus rapid transport, and expand park and ride
- Enhance mobility by improving circulation patterns, bicycle and pedestrian access, and curbside management
- Study options for addressing parking and transportation impacts on the neighborhood
- Study options for optimizing the shuttle and ride-sharing system
- Bring data collection and analysis into the Neighborhood Planning Process
- Develop and implement effective strategies that improve the University’s shuttle system
Reducing parking
Reducing non-residential parking volume in residential areas is a key priority for alleviating Pitt’s impact on the neighborhood. Pitt has undertaken a number of efforts to encourage carpooling, increase flex-work arrangements, and limit the number of students bringing vehicles to campus.
NUMBER OF CAMPUS PARKING PERMITS ISSUED
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Enhancing mobility
Reducing traffic and parking congestion depends on shifting commuting habits, and that depends on making it easier to get around campus without relying on a car.
Pitt is undertaking a number of efforts to broaden mobility options for people who live and work in the neighborhood, including:
- Enhancing bus service to, from, and within Oakland
- Supporting the Port Authority's Bus Rapid Transit program
- Connecting Louisa Street to Bouquet Street to improve circulation
- Expanding bicycle and pedestrian access
- Improving the University shuttle system