The closure of the Greene Street gates is still a hot topic of debate in student senate. Resolutions to keep it open and closed have both been presented, but only one can pass.
Sen. Brian Samples heads the effort to open the gates from 7 p.m. until 7 a.m. on weeknights. The major points on his side of the argument include the current lack of a connection between Greene and Bull streets and impeded traffic to Columbia residents and USC students.
The resolution to open the gates also states, “There is no immediate safety concerns to students given the low speed limit, low pedestrian foot traffic during proposed open gate hours, high police presence and driving obstacles.”
Senators Stacey Brown, Katherine Galang, Michael Norris, Jeremiah Parks, Courtland Thomas, Jeffrey Toler and Christopher Wolfe also helped introduce the resolution to open the gates.
Arguments against opening the gates largely centered on student safety. Current freshman who are accustomed to closed gates and the potential for drunk drivers traveling from Five Points through campus were the most prominent arguments, but many more were also discussed.
Of the opinion that opening the gates could be dangerous, Sen. Lee Goble said, “Why in the world would we not do something where we can do something?”
Goble, as well as senators Philip Allan, Tatiana Chin, Mackenzie Daly, Jonathan Holt, Markus Johnson, Zachary Kirby, Katherine LaWall and Grace Zimmermann introduced a resolution to keep the gates permanently closed.
One of the arguments in favor of this resolution centers on preserving campus and looking at its future potential. The thought of making Greene Street purely a student-focused space and giving it a chance to evolve into this role has gained support of those who want to keep the gates closed.
A vote is scheduled for next week. Students are encouraged to share their opinions on this issue with their senators, who can be contacted through Carolina Concerns on the USC Student Government website.