University officials have green-lighted new safety measures at the crosswalk where a professor was struck by a car two weeks ago, reversing their decision just one month ago to do nothing at the site despite warnings from the campus community.

The Transportation Advisory Committee on Friday listened to Facilities Planning manager Ronald Richardson detail plans that include installing stop signs at the State University Drive East crosswalk near the Hornet Bookstore.

“We felt we needed to do something right now to react to concerns,” Richardson said.

It was the second time in five weeks that TAC took up the issue. It failed to pass a proposal at its Jan. 22 meeting that would have hired a consultant to review pedestrian safety and the flow of traffic at the heavily used crosswalk that connects Parking Lot 2 with the bookstore and Mendocino Hall.

Physics and astronomy professor, William Thornburg, 69, was hospitalized after being struck in that crosswalk and thrown 25 feet on Feb. 7. He is recovering and expects to teach some of his classes this week.

After the Feb. 7 accident, police recommended that the university place three stop signs near the bookstore, Richardson said.

Workers will install them this week at the south exit of Parking Lot 2 and on either side of the crosswalk by the front of the Hornet Bookstore.

TAC Faculty Representative, Anne-Louise Radimsky, said the committee was concerned about slowing the flow of traffic. “We need to strike a compromise between safety and convenience,” she said.

Thornburg, who suffered a concussion, a separated shoulder and scalp lacerations that required stitches, favors the news stop signs, even if they increase traffic congestion.

“I think it [stop sign] will help very much because it will make people more attentive since they have to stop,” he said.

Ken Barnett, Director of Public Safety, said that convenience is always an issue and that TAC should continue to monitor the area. Drivers will have to get used to the new controls, he said.

“With any change like this, there is a steep learning curve,” Barnett said, noting that his office was bracing for an increase in fender-benders at the intersection. and a new round of complaints about slow traffic because of the new signs.