2008 Woodie Awards
Letter:Changes to long-abused escort system positive for campus
Issue date: 3/19/08 Section: Opinion
To the editor:
As the voice of the student body, the University Student Senate wishes to publicly address students' concerns with our Office of Public Safety and Security.
Although we understand and relate to students' concerns with Saint Joseph's Public Safety, we would also like to provide another point of view to consider.
We, as students and more importantly as adults, need to be aware of and responsible for our own safety. The purpose of Saint Joseph's Public Safety and Security is to provide the safest environment possible for our students and staff while on campus.
For years the Public Safety-provided escort service has been under fire for efficiency and lengthy waiting periods. The USS believes the abuse of the escort service needs to decrease dramatically.
The escort service is designed to provide for safety, not convenience. The Director of Public Safety and Security, Bill Mattioli, and the USS agree that the escort service is not a taxi service. Although it has provided such services in the past, Security must instate restrictions in order to provide adequate safety for the entire St. Joe's community.
In addition to the extensive shuttle route, Saint Joseph's Public Safety provides an escort service which is unheard of at some other schools.
A student from Temple University was shocked to find out that Saint Joseph's provides transportation off campus. "Wow, we have to take a subway or taxi off campus!" said Natalie Padula.
The USS asks students to reserve the escorts for those who truly need the service. When planning your weekend, be mindful of how you are arriving and leaving your destination. Have a plan set in place of how you and your friends are getting home.
Many students feel that the cost of tuition should cover the approximately 600 to 850 calls from students on Friday and Saturday nights asking for escorts off campus between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
We, as the student body, need to realize and appreciate the accommodations and improvements that Public Safety continually provides for our safety in addition to our unique escort service.
As the voice of the student body, the University Student Senate wishes to publicly address students' concerns with our Office of Public Safety and Security.
Although we understand and relate to students' concerns with Saint Joseph's Public Safety, we would also like to provide another point of view to consider.
We, as students and more importantly as adults, need to be aware of and responsible for our own safety. The purpose of Saint Joseph's Public Safety and Security is to provide the safest environment possible for our students and staff while on campus.
For years the Public Safety-provided escort service has been under fire for efficiency and lengthy waiting periods. The USS believes the abuse of the escort service needs to decrease dramatically.
The escort service is designed to provide for safety, not convenience. The Director of Public Safety and Security, Bill Mattioli, and the USS agree that the escort service is not a taxi service. Although it has provided such services in the past, Security must instate restrictions in order to provide adequate safety for the entire St. Joe's community.
In addition to the extensive shuttle route, Saint Joseph's Public Safety provides an escort service which is unheard of at some other schools.
A student from Temple University was shocked to find out that Saint Joseph's provides transportation off campus. "Wow, we have to take a subway or taxi off campus!" said Natalie Padula.
The USS asks students to reserve the escorts for those who truly need the service. When planning your weekend, be mindful of how you are arriving and leaving your destination. Have a plan set in place of how you and your friends are getting home.
Many students feel that the cost of tuition should cover the approximately 600 to 850 calls from students on Friday and Saturday nights asking for escorts off campus between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
We, as the student body, need to realize and appreciate the accommodations and improvements that Public Safety continually provides for our safety in addition to our unique escort service.
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