It is an issue that affects all University students: the need to feel safe walking around campus at night.
In an effort to make students feel safer, Facilities Services started working on an extensive lighting project to improve certain areas around campus.
“My main concern as a woman on this campus is sexual assault,” said Jennifer Eliot, a former ASUO safety advocate. “Many students have evening classes, and the campus is spread out.”
Concerns like Eliot’s have prompted the completion of the fifth phase of the campus lighting project, which is concentrated on the east side of the campus and includes the residence halls.
Facilities Services began the project at the beginning of the summer and works with the ASUO and the University Department of Public Safety to repair the lighting around campus.
According to Bob Springer, Facilities Services electrical supervisor, phase five should be completed by next week.
Facilities Services installed lights along Agate Street and near the EMU. Two new lights were also installed north of the Walton Complex, two new lights near the outdoor tennis courts, one new light near the Agate Street crosswalk and two replacement lights on the east side of Earl.”The more lighting, the better,” said Sean Strahon, a University patrol sergeant. “I think it will definitely help student safety.”
In addition to these improvements, Facilities Services replaced and moved several lights in the area between Agate Street and the EMU.
To determine areas of the campus that still need better lighting, the ASUO and DPS meet frequently with representatives of Facilities Services. Together, the three groups decide where lighting improvements need to be made.
Future lighting additions include the area between the Bean Complex and Agate Street and the parking lot south of the EMU. Springer also hopes to tackle parts of parking lots 19 and 20 this fall – areas he said need improvement.
As for funding the campus lighting improvements, the ASUO Senate has already contributed $7,500 and University Housing has contributed $12,000. Facilities Services will begin the next phase of the project this fall.