Universitetet i Agder

Colourful makeover for pedestrian crossing

“We are all children of the rainbow, and the rainbow symbolises the diversity of humanity”, Professor Esben Esther Pirelli Benestad said when launching the new rainbow crossing near the main entrance of the University of Agder, Campus Kristiansand.

By Arne Martin Larsen

Published: Sunday 18 August 2019

This article is more than two years old, and may contain outdated information.

I Beatles-stil over pridefeltet. Først i rekken er tidligere rektor og inititativtaker Frank Reichert, så kommer professor i sexologi Esben Esther Pirelli Benestad, UiA-rektor Sunniva Whittaker og universitetsdirektør Seunn Smith-Tønnessen.

Across the pride crossing, Beatles style. First in line is former rector and initiator Frank Reichert, followed by Professor of Sexology Esben Esther Pirelli Benestad, UiA Rector Sunniva Whittaker and University Director Seunn Smith-Tønnessen.

The recent unveiling of a rainbow coloured pedestrian crossing drew cheers at UiA Campus Kristiansand. UiA first wanted to paint one of the pedestrian crossings near the new UiA bus stop, but the Public Roads Administration said no. Now the crossing near the flagpole in front of the main entrance has been painted, and it is therefore on Statsbygg’s property.

UiA’s former rector, Frank Reichert, is the initiator – and he was very pleased to see the crossing installed.

“This is an exciting day for me, and I thank everyone who helped realise this. At UiA we are proud of diversity, variety, creativity and community. Everyone is important and must be included, life is colourful and multi-facetted”, Reichert said in his remarks at the opening.

“Be pride, and be proud”, Professor Esben Esther Pirelli Benestad said when opening the new pedestrian crossing at UiA. (Photo: Morten Torjussen)

Be proud

Pirelli Benestad is professor of sexology at UiA and was the one to cut the ribbon at the opening.

“I am so pleased to take part in this launch, so feel pride when you walk across this crossing”, Pirelli Benestad said.

Later, everyone got to use the crossing, and first went Reichert and Pirelli Benestad, together with the new UiA Rector Sunniva Whittaker, and the University Director Seunn Smith-Tønnessen.

See also diversity events at Campus Kristiansand, Tuesday 20 August; and Campus Grimstad, Wednesday 21 August; and Øvre Torv, Kristiansand, Saturday 24 August.

Åpningen var lagt sammen med «Sunnivas picknik», en minglesamling med mange internasjonale studenter. Mange benyttet anledningen til å prøve ut gangfeltet.

The launch coincided with ‘Sunniva’s picnic’, a mingling event with international students. Many people took the opportunity to try the pedestrian crossing.

Vi står sammen om å markere mangfold på UiA. Her er universitetsdirektør Seunn Smith-Tønnessen (f.v.) sammen med leder og nestleder i Studentorganisasjonen i Agder Benedicte Nordlie og Olea Nordset, og UiA-rektor Sunniva Whittaker.

We stand together to celebrate variety at UiA. Here is University Director Seunn Smith-Tønnessen (from left) together with the leader and deputy leader of the Student Association of Agder, Benedicte Nordlie og Olea Nordset, and UiA Rector Sunniva Whittaker.

UiAs Senter for likestilling var med på arrangere åpningen. Her er leder Åsta Lovise Einstabland og rådgiver Claudia Klostergaard sammen med Frank Reichert.

The Centre for Gender Equality helped organise the launch. Here is leader Åsta Lovise Einstabland and adviser Claudia Klostergaard together with Frank Reichert.