The long walk home could be lonelier for some students after tonight’s decision about the fate of the Residence Halls Association’s StateWalk program.
StateWalk, a free service for students walking on campus after dark, might be eliminated by RHA because of low participation. The program was started by Alpha Phi Omega to provide students a safe walk home at night from Brody Complex, the Main Library and McDonel Hall. In 1991, RHA assumed control of the operation.
RHA safety director Angela Randazzo said the RHA general assembly will decide today whether to continue providing the student service.
“I want to see whatever is best for the campus,” she said. “If the general assembly decides that it is needed on campus, then I will be more than happy to put the work into it.”
The problem with StateWalk, Randazzo said, is creating awareness of its availability. StateWalk asked for $7,600 from RHA for the spring semester. The program’s advertisement and incentives costs are $2,500. She also said it is difficult to find volunteers despite the $1,000 in scholarship money available to them. The program closed last semester, but reopened during finals week.
During fall 2000, there were 55 walks given from StateWalk’s three offices. The total cost per walk broke down to $115.56 because of expenses for incentives, payroll, food, advertising and office improvements.
Randazzo said she would like to see a future for StateWalk if there is a need for it - but would rather the money be used elsewhere if there isn’t a need.
“The communication I am getting back from faculty and students is that it is not needed,” she said. “This is a safe campus. If people feel safe, then StateWalk has done its job and has seen its day.”
Packaging junior Meatta Kemokai said she had trouble with StateWalk when she tried to use the program in the past. She said she had to wait an hour to get somebody to accompany her on her walk home.
Kemokai said StateWalk should hire more people and change its hours if it continues.
“The one time I did need to use it, it really didn’t work out,” she said. “The buses ran at night, so it was convenient for me. There are phones on every corner and there are so many students on campus at night that I feel safe all the time.”
MSU police Sgt. Florene McGlothian-Taylor said programs like StateWalk are beneficial for student safety.
“It is always a good idea to have a program that promotes safety,” she said. “We always encourage students to use the buddy system within residence halls, utilize the bus system, walk in well-lit areas and be aware of their surroundings.
Shannon Soltysiak said she feels safe enough not to need someone to escort her home.
“I don’t feel uncomfortable at all walking on campus,” Soltysiak said. “I don’t think that it appeals to many people because they wouldn’t want to ask for someone to walk them home.”
