2008 Woodie Awards
Ride still Thursday-less
Kayla Kelley - The Daily Iowan
Issue date: 11/29/07 Section: Metro
- Page 1 of 2 next >
Women at the university are still having trouble finding a ride home from downtown on Thursday nights, even after money was given by the UI Student Government for the expansion of the Nite Ride service.
UI police received UISG funding for an additional van and a Thursday night route on Oct. 22. But more than a month later, neither the Thursday night route and extra van exist.
"We were aware it would take some time to recruit people and get started after the money was granted," said UISG Vice President Carole Peterson.
Brad Allison, a UI police crime-prevention specialist, said the Thursday night rides will not occur until after the evaluation, which will take place between Dec. 17-21.
Staffing conflicts also account for the few hours that the van runs - eight hours of operation will increase to 12 when Thursdays are added to the schedule.
Despite the few hours of service, there has not been a sex attack since the program's Sept. 28 start date.
In order to expand the program, UISG allocated $12,400 of $18,000 Safety Grant Program funds.
However, the first $6,200 will not be distributed to the university police until March 2008 and the second half will be disbursed at the end of the year.
The rest of the money in the program funds publicity for the program, such as key chains with a light and Nite Ride's number on them, said UISG President Barrett Anderson.
Peterson said that UISG started a public-relations campaign for the program, consisting mostly of fliers and computer screen savers.
She said she doesn't think the Nite Ride program will die out, as did the previous student government-sponsored Safe Walk program, for a variety of reasons.
"The student-government program has a high turnover rate, but the UI police exist from year to year," she said. "Also, the funding and scope is larger for the Nite Ride program."
Allison said the initial costs for the program were under $500, but the monthly expenses total more than $1,300.
UI police received UISG funding for an additional van and a Thursday night route on Oct. 22. But more than a month later, neither the Thursday night route and extra van exist.
"We were aware it would take some time to recruit people and get started after the money was granted," said UISG Vice President Carole Peterson.
Brad Allison, a UI police crime-prevention specialist, said the Thursday night rides will not occur until after the evaluation, which will take place between Dec. 17-21.
Staffing conflicts also account for the few hours that the van runs - eight hours of operation will increase to 12 when Thursdays are added to the schedule.
Despite the few hours of service, there has not been a sex attack since the program's Sept. 28 start date.
In order to expand the program, UISG allocated $12,400 of $18,000 Safety Grant Program funds.
However, the first $6,200 will not be distributed to the university police until March 2008 and the second half will be disbursed at the end of the year.
The rest of the money in the program funds publicity for the program, such as key chains with a light and Nite Ride's number on them, said UISG President Barrett Anderson.
Peterson said that UISG started a public-relations campaign for the program, consisting mostly of fliers and computer screen savers.
She said she doesn't think the Nite Ride program will die out, as did the previous student government-sponsored Safe Walk program, for a variety of reasons.
"The student-government program has a high turnover rate, but the UI police exist from year to year," she said. "Also, the funding and scope is larger for the Nite Ride program."
Allison said the initial costs for the program were under $500, but the monthly expenses total more than $1,300.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 3
Stosh
posted 11/29/07 @ 7:51 AM CST
I'm quite surprised there's been no public outcry about the gender-specific status of this service.
Were the University to spend so much as a nickel on a program (public safety or otherwise) that only men were allowed to utilize the howls of outrage from earnest young feminists on campus would be deafening - screaming about how women MUST be allowed to participate in the name of "equality. (Continued…)
Microsoft word comes in handy
posted 11/29/07 @ 1:23 PM CST
That way Stosh can copy and paste his little diatribe every time the DI mentions the nite-ride program.
Post a Comment