Ambition, determination and concern for others are not the only reasons students become involved with student government. Sometimes it's personal.

Tim Walker, director of the Associated Students Escort Service, said he spends about 65 hours a week working and promoting the service.

"I'm so dedicated to it because I take the success or failure of it very personal," he said.

The service provides the Safe Ride program, which offers free transportation within a one mile radius of the campus to students, faculty and staff. In addition, there is the walking program which escorts people to their vehicles.

This summer, Walker said he set up a booth at the freshmen orientations to educate incoming students on the escort programs. He said that last year, he attended the teaching assistant orientation and spoke with all 716 teaching assistants who attended.

"I think by doing these things, I was able to reach 80 percent of the freshmen population," Walker said. "The Escort Service can do something that affects every single student on campus if they want it to."

This is exactly what Walker has been trying to do the last three years - reach students by keeping them safe.

The death of his girlfriend Kristy motived him.

Late at night seven years ago, Kristy was walking to her car alone when she was raped and murdered in a parking garage near where she lived in Ohio.

"No matter what I do, I can't bring Kristy back," he said. "I would like to think I've helped or prevented one girl from being assaulted. Then I have accomplished something."

When Walker came to the university, he said he knew the Escort Service was a program he wanted to be involved in.

"I will do anything in my power to prevent anything from happening at my school," he said. "The Escort Service is the best way I am able to do this."

Safe Ride runs every school night from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. The walking program begins training next week and should be operational within two weeks, Walker said.

Currently, the service is operating on a temporary budget of $12,000 while ASUA works at approving a new budget following its split with the Graduate and Professional Student Council. Walker said he estimates the service will receive a budget of $55,000 once an official ASUA budget has been approved.

ASUA President Rhonda Wilson said in a letter to the Arizona Daily Wildcat that ASUA "recognizes that the safety and security of the student body is of the utmost importance and is essential to molding a positive campus climate."

She added that the Escort Service "will always have adequate funds to operate."

Last year's Escort Service budget was $36,000 with an additional $12,000 provided in mid-April, Walker said.

"I have more than proven that I can use the money for something good," he said.

Similar to last year, Walker said he plans to visit every sorority on campus to tell them about the service.

Walker said he continues to place flyers in the Memorial Student Union, the libraries, residence halls and anywhere else where students will see them.

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