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BY APOLLINE BERTY

In print | October 25, 2007

The Feminist Majority and SMART have recently been in discussion with the Student Council about the possibility of joining a vast number of colleges that have incorporated a blue light system to raise campus safety.

This system would consist of visible blue lights indicating emergency phones throughout the campus.

Sophie Hagen ’10, who is co-head of the Feminist Majority with Bethanne Albert-Bruninga ’10, explained that some student concerns for issues of safety on campus have been voiced at the Feminist Majority meetings.

“People from Swat at the Feminist Majority meeting felt unsafe,” Hagen said.

Because of these concerns, the Feminist Majority has contacted Student Council in order to discuss different safety measures that could be implemented to further reinforce safety on campus.

“If it would make students feel more secure and make students more secure, then it’s something that the Student Council is ready to look into,” said Student Council President Peter Gardner ’08.

According to Director of Public Safety Owen Redgrave, the blue light system has been considered in the past, but has not been executed because of its cost and questions of efficiency.

"We received a proposal about 15 years ago for

the installation of 20 phones. It would have cost $300,000 back then and that’s just for 20 phones and

doesn’t include maintenance or monthly line fees," Redgrave said.

Redgrave also mentioned that emergency phones are sometimes abused on other campuses.

"Many colleges suffer a large number of abuses

such as prank calls and vandalism," he said

Redgrave cited the instance of New Mexico State University, where the college had 25 emergency phones one year, and only 3 calls for assistance.

However, the university also received 6000 prank calls.

Redgrave also questioned the efficiency of this type of system.

“If you’re being pursued can you get to a phone? Though it could act as a deterrent I suppose,” he said. Furthermore, Regrave expressed concern that with roughly 80% of the student body owning a cell phone, emergency phones throughout campus might be superfluous and might contribute to a false sense of security on campus.

“There seems to be a high perception of safety on campus but it may not be as safe as some believe it to be. Would blue lights simply add to the perception of safety?” Redgrave asked.

Hagen said that although the campus is safe, in most cases, sexual assaults were committed by known acquaintances.

“You should always be on guard even if it’s a safe place,” Hagen said.

Redgrave believed that options should be reviewed before making a decision. "We should talk about

all the things that are out there and see what’s the best way to use our financial resources," Redgrave said.

According to Redgrave, options other than the blue lights include increasing public safety staff, adding cameras and considering student patrols.

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