| Show 0 Offers an Escort Service 0 By Matt Baldwin Contributing Writer The College Center is providing providing providing pro pro- viding parking lot escorts to students staff and faculty at South City and Redwood campuses Upon request employees working working working work work- ing at both College Centers will be available to walk anyone to their car following night classes The service has been established in atten pt to address safety concerns voiced by students and staff South City Campus evening specialist specialist specialist Lowell Richards said I think we have had some legitimate concerns concerns concerns con con- cerns voiced from students and staff toward parking lot safety We are here to serve the students so we must support the students needs and concerns con con- cerns Although students are primarily the ones who will benefit from the service those providing the escorts find it equally worthwhile It is necessary service because it addresses a student concern We tried to come up with a cost effective solution to alleviate that fear I hope there is enough future response so that it will be maintained said Mark Monson College Center South office aide and primary escort Response has varied at each cam cam- pus At the escort service is in a atrial atrial atrial trial stage This is the first quarter the service has been available However according to office aides the service is quickly becoming a success has received at least one escort request per night sometimes as many as seven Requests have been made by both students and fac fac- fac- fac The amount of requests have even surprised the escorts I honestly did not anticipate this kind of response Monson said Response has been slightly different different different differ differ- ent at Redwood campus This is the fourth year parking lot escorts have been available and response has been slow according to Mike Nagle night receptionist Redwood College Center office Response has not been overwhelming overwhelming overwhelming over over- whelming by any means Some nights are kind of slow but that one onetime onetime onetime time someone needs the service it makes a difference Nagle said So far response has only come from students at Redwood The parking lot escorts provide many other benefits besides walking students to their cars The escort gets out and sees things that are going on in the parking lots It creates an opportunity for someone to be visible according to Nagle Limited response does not reflect the merits of the escort service especially especially especially espe espe- in the eyes of those who provide provide provide pro pro- vide it Just the fact that the service is offered is a virtue unto itself Whether only one person uses it all year doesn't matter What's important tant is that the school does offer it the very fact that it exists Nagle said According to Monson the number number number num num- ber of responses is not important although he does anticipate an increase in requests with darkness coming on much earlier Even if we can make one student feel safer we have done our job Monson said The parking lot escorts will be available Monday through Friday from 5 to 10 pm p.m. If interested the escorts can be found in the College Center at each campus For sec go to room or call At Redwood go to CC or call |
