Candidates should have done more research on Escort Service promises

Over the last four years, I have put a lot of time and effort into making the ASUA Escort Service what it is today. When I graduate this May, I must return to Active Duty in the Navy. The Navy is sending me far from Tucson, and I will probably have zero contact with ASUA. For this reason, the ASUA elections are very important to me. I am afraid that four years of my work will be destroyed if the wrong person wins the election. After attending the candidates forum, it is clear to me that few have any idea what they are talking about concerning the Escort Service. I actually saw a Senate candidate's flyer that called the Escort Service "SAFE". They don't even know the name of the program, yet pretend to speak competently about it. I have heard vague promises and "I support ... " from people who have had no experience (staff, volunteer, or otherwise) with the program, or who have never consulted with me or my staff, or without prior experience can discuss with any credibility an Escort Service issue.

During this campaign, some candidates have stated they would solve our funding problems by seeking private sources (business). How about another "new" idea ... soliciting a donated van in exchange for ad space? It has been done before (Thoroughbred Nissan 1991-1995) and I have attempted to duplicate this effort without success. If any of them bothered to do a little research, they would have discovered that I have already tried these things. Their irresponsible pledges also imply I have not done the best job; otherwise I would have thought of these things before.

Some of my volunteers who live in residence halls or sororities have brought to my attention the fact some unnamed candidates have attacked me personally in their campaign speeches. They believe that I am an incompetent director. Apparently I have an " ... inefficient operation ... " and waste money. Not only do none of these particular candidates know me, they have no experience with the Escort Service. I am certainly open to constructive criticism, but how can they possibly know what operations are inefficient or that I waste money? Alan Greenspan doesn't criticize Lute Olsen's game plan.

Finally, I appeal to the many people who utilize the Escort Service (avg. 80-100/night) to vote for a responsible Administrative VP whom you are confident will carry on the mission of the service I have tried so hard to better. This began as my personal crusade. My involvement in the Escort Service is derived from a promise I made to my girlfriend Kristy, almost seven years ago. She was raped and murdered at 18, her freshman year in college. It would truly be a shame to see the fruits of that promise collapse after I leave.

By Timothy J. Walker (letter)
Arizona Daily Wildcat
March 5, 1997