A new blue-light special

SGA proposes to increase number of emergency lights

Evin Shoap senior photogrpaher SGA and the administration are looking to increase the number of emergency blue lights around campus.

The Student Government Association and the administration are discussing preliminary proposals to add more emergency blue lights on campus to increase safety.

Student Body President Tom Culligan said plans will not be set until next month. Culligan also said that nothing has been done so far, only that "we would like to see an increase concept — the more we have, the better."

The administration will publicly announce the final decision on emergency blue lights once it is reached.
"The only real constraint is the funding, but the administration has expressed very strong support," Culligan said. "They’ve been very supportive of student safety and concern."

SGA members, students, administrators, campus police and others will conduct the annual lighting tour sometime in November. The tour usually takes a couple of hours and occurs around late evening.

"Basically, we all get in a van "Basically, we all get in a van and tour the campus to check up on lighting — if it is good, if it needs improvement," said Sgt. Peggy Campbell of the crime prevention unit.

Campbell also said that students should distinguish the difference between the emergency blue lights and the emergency phones located in residence halls and other public areas on campus. Emergency phones have keypads not only to dial on-campus phone numbers, but to contact campus police in case of an emergency. The emergency blue lights, on the other hand, only can be used to contact campus police.

Campbell said there are 142 emergency phones and emergency blue lights total on campus.