Monday, March 23, 2009
In the wake of budget cuts at the University, Student Senate is looking for ways to keep student fees constant. One proposal is to “retire” the student safety fee for a three year period, after which the fee would return. During these three years, student safety programs would run on the money in its reserve account. But is safety really something we want to “retire,” especially given the recent trend of increased crime against students in Lawrence?
McGonigle, who authored the proposal, said the board that oversees student safety currently did not spend anywhere near the amount allocated to it and student money already paid should be used first before cuts were made into other fees. McGonigle said student safety should use the remainder of the unallocated account before it collected the fee again.
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To voice your opinion on the safety fee:
Call the Student Senate office at (785) 864-3710
One of the greatest concerns is the recent highly publicized incidents of sexual assault on or near campus. On March 1, the Lawrence Journal-World published a map of assault locations in Lawrence during the past four years, with the majority of these occurring in areas populated with student residents. Most notable of these assaults is the suspected serial rapist, who has been linked to 13 rapes in the last eight years at both the University and Kansas State University.
Marcy Brammer, Wichita junior, said she had spent countless late nights on campus studying or working in a design studio before walking back to her sorority house on Emery Road.
“A lot of times I can find someone to come pick me up, but sometimes I have to walk home at one, two in the morning,” Brammer said. “I don’t know that I feel comfortable with the idea of cutting safety, even if it is just a temporary thing.”
Security services such as the emergency blue phones located around campus are provided by the student safety fee. These phones are directly connected to the KU Public Safety Office’s dispatch center. According to the Public Safety Office’s Web site, an officer will be dispatched to the location whether or not a person talks on the phone.
Other safety programs on campus include SafeRide and SafeBus. SafeRide is available to students who need a ride home from anywhere in Lawrence free of charge between 11 p.m. and 2:30 a.m. SafeBus operates from 9 a.m. to 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, giving students a free and safe ride home.
Programs and services like these not only help ensure student safety, but give many students peace of mind while on campus at night. Brammer said although she had never used the emergency blue phones and rarely used SafeRide for a ride home from campus, she felt better knowing these were available to her.
The KU Public Safety Office’s Web site offers students helpful information on how to deal with various safety issues. Students should be sure to be aware of safety services available to them through the University and should always be aware of their surroundings, especially while on campus late at night.
Awareness of the proposed budget cuts is also very important, especially when they’re regarding student safety. Senate should consider cutting fees that won’t harm students, rather than cutting those that directly benefit them.
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Comments
Editorial: Students should oppose retirement of safety fee
Just an FYI, saferide and safebus are funded through their own fee, not the safety fee.
Editorial: Students should oppose retirement of safety fee
super article! well written and well researched.
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