SGA announces campus lighting improvements

by Maria Nosal / SGA reporter

Plans and locations were announced on Thursday for two new blue lights and three lighting improvement projects in three major areas of campus that will occur over the summer.

"When I ran for this office a year ago, I made lighting and blue light improvements a priority, and promised students that the SGA would work with the administration to take a close look at our campus to make sure we were addressing all of our safety concerns," Student Body President Tom Culligan said.

Beginning last fall, Culligan and other members of the Student Government Association met with JMU Police Chief Lee Shifflett to discuss concerns about improving lighting on campus.

Lighting improvements will take place behind Carrier Library near the University Health Center, along Bluestone Drive from the power plant to the railroad tracks and along Greek Row and the Treehouse dormitory area. Lights also will be installed at the Reservoir Street entrance to campus. Improvements will take place on the northern side of the double sidewalk in the Village, which is being funded by the Office of Residence Life. The lights along the Quad also will be improved when they are replaced along with a sidewalk replacement project.

One new blue light and emergency telephone has been installed on Carrier Drive adjacent to the CISAT A1 building. Another blue light and emergency telephone also will be installed on the corner of Bluestone Drive and Championship Drive.

Blue lights will be placed on Greek Row and Treehouse call boxes so it will be easier to find an emergency phone.

"If improving lighting on this campus will give people a better view of their surroundings, I think that’s great," said Peggy Campbell, a sergeant at the JMU Police Department. "I support anything we can do to improve safety and be proactive, I’d rather prevent emergencies than respond to one."