Safety escorts discussed

Students and Security work together

Students are currently working with the Department of Safety and Security to formulate new student escort policies.

In reaction to a series of assaults perpetrated against students and a perceived downsizing of the Department's services last semester, a student-run safety escort service committee was formed by members of the Oberlin College chapter of the Feminist Majority. The Feminist Majority is a national organization which sponsors various political action projects around the country.

"Security is an issue that affects everyone," said Correne Spero, co-chair of the Feminist Majority.

Committee members were angered by a proposed change to the Department's escort policy. The changes were formulated by Joe DiChristina, then acting director of security. The policy requested that students not use the escort service if they were intoxicated or in large groups. The policy also asked students not to request a security escort for transportation between two off-campus locations.

"I am not implying that the staff be rigid to those guidelines," said Director of Safety and Security Keith James. "It is just a guideline. We do make discretionary calls. We do make judgements."

The committee formed last semester to discuss the policy and to gauge student opinions on how the policy should be changed. This committee met this week to plan strategies for working with the Department of Safety and Security.

Students working on the project say that the purpose of the volunteer service is to bridge the gaps in the current policy, specifically those dealing with off-campus escorts and escorts requested by intoxicated students. The committee will work closely with the Department to find a way to close this gap.

"People living off-campus deserve escorts too," Spero said.

The Department of Safety and Security recently acquired a car which may be used for vehicle escorts when the policies are developed.James' ideas about the escort policy include possibly using student security patrol staff along with the volunteers to drive the car. The extra passenger gives added protection to students using the vehicle. Both the volunteers and the student patrol staff would be trained in crisis management and safety procedures.

James is also working to increase the number of student cadets on duty between 9 p.m and 1 a.m., in order to better accomodate on-campus students who need a walking escort. "Our primary goal is providing service to students who have chosen to live on campus," said James. "We have to be careful not to assume responsibility for students who coose to live off-campus."

According to James, student input is important to the implementation of any new policy. James has been communicating with student senators and members of the Feminist Majority to hear their concerns.

"The issues about rules are what need to be handled. I think students can be valuable," James said.

No concrete plans have yet been made, but Spero feels James and students have been made aware of students' needs.

"It's still in the embryo stages...I really think there is a genuine need for this," said James.