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Confusion over Escort Service

To the editor,

From the editorials and commentaries presented in Friday's Wildcat, it is obvious that there has been a great deal of confusion as to the situation regarding the ASUA Escort Service.

At the September 29, 1999 ASUA Senate Meeting, I presented my constitutionally required update to the Senate. The purpose of this update is to inform the Senate as to issues involving the service. As an informational item on the agenda, the Senate is prohibited from suggesting action on anything related to the service at the time. Learn basic parliamentary procedure before you condemn the Senate for lack of action.

In addition, to those who were paying attention at this meeting, the following facts would have been apparent: the ASUA Escort Service is currently seeking donations and sponsorship from other university departments and corporations. We are hopeful that, if these organizations, which include the UA Parents' Association, Gateway Computers, the Residence Hall Association (which has already passed a resolution to give us $5000), and Budget Rent-a-Car, can support us, then we will be sufficiently funded in future years. In the meantime, we continue to operate conservatively under our current budget, providing more service in a manner that is nearly as efficient as in past years (at least, whenever it doesn't rain.)

As for the support from ASUA, we have already received over $6,800 from them, not to mention full-time staff support. Given the large number of other programs that ASUA funds, such as the Campus Acquaintance Rape Educators and the Women's Resource Center, which also help to promote student safety on campus, the ASUA-RHA Basketball League which helps underprivileged kids in the Tucson area and Bear Down Camp which helps new freshman learn the ropes of the university before they become a statistic, ASUA needs to be "stingy" on granting additional support to a program that generally relies on other university departments for funding.

As for the ASUA Escort Service, we are in no immediate danger. True, due to the recent crime wave, we have been busier than ever. However, the issue of sufficient funding has been prevalent for many years, as it is in almost all non-profit service organizations. I guarantee you that, if our pleas for money to other groups fall on deaf ears, ASUA will pick up the tab at the end, as it always has.

Rachel E. Reinhardt

Director, ASUA Escort Service