In the wake of numerous assaults and robberies across Grounds this semester, Student Council has decided to launch SafeWalk, a pedestrian alternative to SafeRide, in the spring.
Similar to SafeRide, SafeWalk officials will pick students up to escort them safely back home. Students will walk with two people, both male and female, said Nadia Khatouri, co-chair of the Safety and Wellness Committee.
The program is intended to cut down on costs and improve time efficiency compared to SafeRide, according to the Committee's website.
"Students will have a number and call a dispatch center to request two buddies to escort them home," Khatouri said.
The committee will work with University Police officials to screen and train potential walkers - all of whom will be University students - who can facilitate the growth and efficiency of the program, Khatouri said. Student employees will be paid on an hourly basis.
After the two walkers are sent to the student's location, they will maintain communication with the dispatcher and inform him when they make contact with the student.\nThe program is intended to complement current University safety efforts.
"In response to safety concerns, we needed to address a program that could complement SafeRide and target students who felt unsafe," Committee Co-Chair Peter Townsend said.
Townsend said he believes SafeWalk could offer the alternative of a more personable atmosphere conducive to interaction but noted potential logistical drawbacks to the program.
"The only way this program can work is to get enough walkers," he said.
First-year College student Maryann Chan said she likely would not choose to use SafeWalk in the future, even though it provides an alternative to SafeRide.
"I probably wouldn't use SafeWalk over SafeRide because it can be cold outside," Chan said.
Moreover, although other participants in SafeWalk also would be students, she added that she would not be naturally more inclined to interact with them than with the SafeRide driver.
The Committee hopes to implement the program as soon as possible after students return from Winter Break.
"We're going to start it second semester," Townsend said. "We're hoping at the latest Feb. 1, but we're hoping to get it started before that"
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