Mandy Conrad does not like walking around campus when it is dark.

“When it’s late at night and no one’s around, I feel vulnerable,” the Northville sophomore said.

Although the campus has blue light phone systems that provide a direct connection to CMU police, the actual help the systems provide is debatable.

Steve Thompson, coordinator of Sexual Assault Services, said the blue light phones create an illusion of safety.

“It creates the illusions to Mom and Dad that the campus addresses safety, but the facts are that people don’t use the blue lights,” Thompson said. “Sexual assaults don’t occur under the blue lights.”

Conrad said she does not think there are enough blue lights, especially in the areas by Washington Apartments and Warriner Mall.

There are 26 blue light phone systems on campus.

Steve Lawrence, associate vice president of facilities management, said there are an adequate number of the blue light phone systems.

“We install lighting as required and have installed additional lighting based on feedback and surveys,” Lawrence said.

The first blue light phone systems were installed in 1994 at a cost of $1,560 each, said Steve Smith, director of media relations. He said the blue light phone systems total cost is about $40,000 to $45,000.

A survey was conducted after dark last fall by members of Facilities Management, CMU Police Department and a representative from the Student Government Association. The group suggested areas that needed more lighting. Lights recently have been added along Library Drive, near the south end of the Industrial Engineering Technology building and Woldt Hall and an area by Wheeler Hall and the railroad tracks.

Lights also will be added on the west side of Bush Theatre, Lawrence said.

Two years ago, more than $750,000 was spent installing new outdoor lighting, he said.

CMU Police Chief Stan Dinius said he has not heard of any complaints about lighting on campus.

If students must walk around campus in the dark, there are several things they can do to be safe, Dinius said.

“Avoid walking in that (darkened) area, walk with other people, try to not walk alone and certainly take the bus or use Night Rides from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.,” Dinius said. “Walk in well-lighted areas, and report them if they aren’t.”

The Night Rides program is a service intended to provide rides for students who need an escort for safety reasons or who are concerned about walking alone at night. The service can be reached at 774-HELP (4357).

lhenry@cm-life.com

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