Thursday September 13, 2001

Safe Ride may be expanded to Broadway Blvd

ASUA senators approved a resolution yesterday that commits the senate to exploring options that would "provide our students with increased safety on campus."

The resolution - introduced by Sen. Josh Maxwell - will explore options relating to Associated Students of the University of Arizona Safe Ride, a service that transports students around campus after dark.

They are considering several plans, including free emergency cab service, expanding Safe Ride to Broadway Boulevard and shuttle service to local malls.

"This is an exciting opportunity," Maxwell said.

The resolution comes in the wake of debates about the service's budget, which was approximately $12,000 less than last year.

Although no senators voted against the resolution, some expressed concern over the need for it.

"This is not something that needs to be made a resolution," said Sen. Eric Chambers. "It's like beating a dead horse."

The new shuttles would replace previous attempts to provide later-running Safe Ride services and ASUA-sponsored shuttles to grocery stores and shopping malls. Earlier attempts presented too many liability problems.

The cab service, which would provide students holding cards with free rides to hospitals, shelters, police stations or their home address printed on the card, is one option ASUA is considering.

The cards would be about the size of debit cards, and available to all students. The cab service would be provided by one local cab company, and rides would be paid for via advertising on the cards.

Currently, Safe Ride operates from dusk until 12:45 a.m. The cab service would be available 24-hours a day, but would be intended for emergency use only.

"The company does not want us to promote this as an anti-drunk driving service," said Jim Drnek, assistant dean of Student Affairs.

Also, Safe Ride boundaries will be expanded, if supported by the results of student surveys and approved by the dean of students and risk management

By expanding to Broadway Boulevard, the service would aid students who want to buy groceries.

ASUA senators Sarah Calvert and Allison Jones are trying to arrange a shuttle service from the UA campus to shopping malls in Tucson, operated by businesses.

At the beginning of the meeting, senators observed a moment of silence in memory of the victims of Tuesday's attacks of the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.

Jones asked that students try to be compassionate toward Muslims in the UA campus community.

Next week's ASUA meeting will be in the Modern Languages building room 411 at 6 p.m.