2008 Woodie Awards
MU students call for safer lighting all over campus
Laura Houser
Issue date: 11/2/07 Section: Front Page
The streetlights may line the sidewalks and illuminate the parking lots, but according to some students, Miami University is still very much in the dark.
According to a report released Oct. 25 by the Miami University Police Department (MUPD) and HAWKS Peer Health Educators, more than 40 percent of students suggested that the university improve exterior lighting on campus in an effort to strengthen campus safety.
The study reported survey results taken during Campus Safety Awareness Week Oct. 15-18, sponsored by MUPD, during which 772 students were asked how they felt about
campus safety at Miami.
However, according to both MUPD and Miami's department of physical facilities-the call for more lighting is nothing new.
"Just from talking to students, one of the most common concerns we hear is 'Man, we need more lighting around here,'" said Lt. Stephen Van Winkle, an officer with MUPD.
MUPD Police Chief John McCandless agreed that lighting is, and always has been a concern.
"When people are asked what the safety hazard is on campus, the overwhelming response is lighting," McCandless said.
Associated Student Government's (ASG) secretary for off-campus affairs, senior Jen House, said there have been recommendations for more lighting by the Shriver Center, since, she claims, so many students pass by there, as well as the cross walks on High Street, Patterson Avenue and Spring Street.
Other complaints seem to center around the Slant Walk, Van Winkle said, pointing out that the streetlights lining the popular thoroughfare are shorter (therefore dispersing light over a smaller area) than most exterior lights that illuminate parking lots and other main roads.
Student Body President Jens Sutmöller admitted that he has also heard several complaints concerning campus lighting, including the claim that physical facilities is slow to actually change a burnt-out streetlamp.
Don Lowe, senior director of facilities and operations, said that physical facilities tries to make sure the process is as efficient as possible, but that it is largely dependent on student input.
According to a report released Oct. 25 by the Miami University Police Department (MUPD) and HAWKS Peer Health Educators, more than 40 percent of students suggested that the university improve exterior lighting on campus in an effort to strengthen campus safety.
The study reported survey results taken during Campus Safety Awareness Week Oct. 15-18, sponsored by MUPD, during which 772 students were asked how they felt about
campus safety at Miami.
However, according to both MUPD and Miami's department of physical facilities-the call for more lighting is nothing new.
"Just from talking to students, one of the most common concerns we hear is 'Man, we need more lighting around here,'" said Lt. Stephen Van Winkle, an officer with MUPD.
MUPD Police Chief John McCandless agreed that lighting is, and always has been a concern.
"When people are asked what the safety hazard is on campus, the overwhelming response is lighting," McCandless said.
Associated Student Government's (ASG) secretary for off-campus affairs, senior Jen House, said there have been recommendations for more lighting by the Shriver Center, since, she claims, so many students pass by there, as well as the cross walks on High Street, Patterson Avenue and Spring Street.
Other complaints seem to center around the Slant Walk, Van Winkle said, pointing out that the streetlights lining the popular thoroughfare are shorter (therefore dispersing light over a smaller area) than most exterior lights that illuminate parking lots and other main roads.
Student Body President Jens Sutmöller admitted that he has also heard several complaints concerning campus lighting, including the claim that physical facilities is slow to actually change a burnt-out streetlamp.
Don Lowe, senior director of facilities and operations, said that physical facilities tries to make sure the process is as efficient as possible, but that it is largely dependent on student input.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Sarah D.
Sarah D.
posted 11/02/07 @ 10:03 PM EST
Majority of confrontational crime occurs around the intersection of Brown Rd. Get actual street lights up there Oxford.
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