University administrators are negotiating with the city of Waltham to install a traffic light on South Street at the crosswalk between the Foster Mods and Golding Health Center, said Mark Collins, the head of university services."It's a safety issue that everyone recognizes and we're trying to get it done," he said.

The effort comes in response to the series of accidents involving the crosswalk, including one last semester in which a Brandeis senior was hit while crossing South Street. The student was the third pedestrian to be struck by a vehicle on South Street in the last five years.

Collins said the University has requested traffic lights to be put up along the road, but the city has yet to grant its approval.

"There's no decision made to put it up yet," he said. "We're in the middle of a process to get the street lights installed."

Waltham Transportation Director Franklin Ching said the crosswalk gives pedestrians a "false sense of security," because many mistakenly believe cars are required by law to stop for anyone who is waiting to use the crosswalk. He said the state law only requires cars to stop for pedestrians when they are actually crossing the street.

In many cases, Ching said, the crosswalk and caution signs may not sufficiently protect pedestrians, because he said he has seen many people walk into the street without paying attention to traffic.

"It is not the most ideal situation for a crosswalk," he said.

Ching recently met with Collins and said the request will be considered at an April 18 city meeting.

Foster Mods Quad Senator Matthew Shuman '06 said a traffic light at the crosswalk would be beneficial to the students who live nearby. He said that while the installation of a light might cause traffic buildup, it would make the crosswalk safer for everyone.

"I think that people drive pretty fast there," he said. "It's dangerous, especially toward the end of the day when the sun sets and gets bright."

Brandeis students who lived in the Foster Mods initially requested traffic lights for the crosswalk between three and four years ago, Ching said. He said the city's Traffic Commission initially approved the request, but it was later rescinded by the Waltham police department.

Ching said University President Jehuda Reinharz approached former Waltham Mayor David Gately at the time and unsuccessfully asked the city to reconsider its decision.

Collins said he thought past proposals for traffic lights at the Foster Mods crosswalk were not approved because the city had not made them a high priority.

"I think this particular time, it's more likely we'll be successful," Collins said.