by Ashlyn Gerbaz

CMU residence life and University President Tim Foster conducted their annual safety walk last Tuesday night.

The objective of the safety walk was to point out and improve areas that are dark around campus. They also took note of light posts that are out and scanned the overall safety of CMU’s campus.

In attendance were employees of CMU, residence assistants (RA), Foster, Vice President John Marshall, ASG President Josh Dillinger and Vice President Ben Linzey.

The walk started on North Avenue at 8:30 and throughout the hour-long campus tour, one thing was evident: the campus needed more lights.

President Foster has taken safety seriously, by having safety walks every year, so it was not a difficult year of improvements. 

“There wasn’t much change that needed to happen,” Linzey said. “Just some small [things]. Like change the light bulbs, add some lights here and there. They are putting a fence up in the alleyway next to North Avenue so that’s not as dark and students can’t go through there anymore.”

Linzey went on to say.

“But I think it is a compliment to facilities and the administration that they are trying to keep our campus safe and keep it pretty well up to date when it comes to student safety,” Linzey said.

One area that needs more lighting is around Albers Hall and the Outdoor Program (OP) building.

The OP building is not only surrounded by big bushes, but the most lighting comes from the Rait Hall and Walnut Apartment’s volleyball courts and a phone flashlight.

A few of the RAs who came out were also members of the Safe Walk Program at CMU.

The program was designed by the on-campus police force and run by student volunteers.

Trained Campus Safety Assistants (CSA) can walk students anywhere on campus and even up to two blocks off campus.

This service is available seven days a week from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.