Senators concerned with liability, contracting issues related to service

Approval of the proposed Alternative SafeRide Program will be put on hold until at least next week to allow ASUA senators more time to review contract issues.

The Alternative SafeRide card program would create an emergency escort service for the entire University of Arizona community. Students, faculty and staff could obtain a card with their home address printed on it and in turn use the card to be taken home, to a hospital or to a police station in an emergency.

The program is aimed at providing students with 24-hour emergency transportation.

However, the contract with Student Lifeline Inc., the company that will establish the program if approved, stated a possible $25,000 liability to the UA should the university terminate the program within one year's time.

Several Associated Students of the University of Arizona senators said they did not agree with the monetary liability placed on the UA, because there is no way to know if problems would cause the program to be terminated.

Ray Quintero, ASUA president, said that if there would be a cancellation of the program, it would leave the university with a huge liability.

"I feel uncomfortable doing anything that may tie up the hands of next year's administration," he said.

ASUA Sen. Josh Maxwell originally proposed the program and said he regards it as an effective tool for campus safety.

"The program is an exciting new opportunity to increase safety on campus with endless opportunities," he said.

However, several other ASUA senators said they felt the program needs fine tuning before it is approved.

Senators also said they are concerned with funding for the program. The initial start-up cost for Alternative SafeRide is estimated at $3,500. The Residence Hall Association has committed $1,500 to the program; however, it is unable to transfer any of its funds until it establishes an outside account.

Senators said funding might be possible through several other university organizations but until then, they were not comfortable with approving the program.

"There are multiple sources of funding lined up which we will approach with the proposal," Maxwell said.

Another major issue raised was the possibility of non-students receiving access to the program.

Since the program would run through spring 2003, students who graduate next May could continue to use the service.

However, a postponement in the program's approval will consequently delay the date it comes into effect.

Maxwell said that because the program has been put on hold, it may not begin until sometime in the spring semester.