2008 Woodie Awards
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Opinions
Staff Editorial: Scooting along just fine
Aesthetics aside, Public Safety's new scooters are exactly what campus security needs.
4/3/08
Before AU students decry Public Safety's new scooters as wastes of time and money, they should consider its unviable alternatives.
Although the new equipment and its batteries cost the university an astronomical $34,000, purchasing three new scooters was still considerably cheaper than replacing even just one old patrol car. And for the green of heart, the scooters are much more environmentally friendly than their predecessors. They aren't powered by gasoline - another money-saver - and they leave much lighter of a carbon footprint.
But most importantly, the scooters are effective. No matter how asinine Public Safety officers might appear when they're cruising around campus at near-crawl (or, sometimes, near-dangerous) speeds, the scooters certainly proved their use on March 14, when officers responded to a minor AU shuttle accident at Tenley Circle. The officers made it to the scene just as fast, if not faster, as an AU patrol car would have. Considering how many students lambasted Public Safety for its poor performance on the blue light response time test last year, we would be utterly hypocritical to fault the office for any attempt at improvement.
However, students' objections are equally warranted. No matter how beneficial the new equipment might be, Public Safety should have consulted students before it spent so much money. True, university facilities and offices are by no means obligated to hold lengthy forums and discussions regarding their every budget decision. But transparent decision-making on an issue that our tuition money partially funds is more than deserved. We can only hope Public Safety consults the student body before it resumes scooter shopping and, even more importantly, when it evaluates its new toys' success or failure at making the campus more safe and secure.
Although the new equipment and its batteries cost the university an astronomical $34,000, purchasing three new scooters was still considerably cheaper than replacing even just one old patrol car. And for the green of heart, the scooters are much more environmentally friendly than their predecessors. They aren't powered by gasoline - another money-saver - and they leave much lighter of a carbon footprint.
But most importantly, the scooters are effective. No matter how asinine Public Safety officers might appear when they're cruising around campus at near-crawl (or, sometimes, near-dangerous) speeds, the scooters certainly proved their use on March 14, when officers responded to a minor AU shuttle accident at Tenley Circle. The officers made it to the scene just as fast, if not faster, as an AU patrol car would have. Considering how many students lambasted Public Safety for its poor performance on the blue light response time test last year, we would be utterly hypocritical to fault the office for any attempt at improvement.
However, students' objections are equally warranted. No matter how beneficial the new equipment might be, Public Safety should have consulted students before it spent so much money. True, university facilities and offices are by no means obligated to hold lengthy forums and discussions regarding their every budget decision. But transparent decision-making on an issue that our tuition money partially funds is more than deserved. We can only hope Public Safety consults the student body before it resumes scooter shopping and, even more importantly, when it evaluates its new toys' success or failure at making the campus more safe and secure.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
michael mcnair
posted 4/03/08 @ 7:53 AM EST
Public Safety always values student input on how to improve security in these matters.That's why prior to purchasing the T3, President Joe Vidulich was not only consulted but he even wrote an letter of support for the project. (Continued…)
Scott McCready
posted 4/03/08 @ 9:45 AM EST
An absolute waste of money! Use more bikes for god's sakes. They're cheap, don't need batterys, repairs are easy, and it gives those fat lazy SOBs some exercise. (Continued…)
Lacey Stewart
posted 4/03/08 @ 12:36 PM EST
• I would like to respectfully disagree with the previous comment. During weekend nights especially, Public Safety officers are called to every part of this campus. (Continued…)
poozzledk
Lacey Stewart
posted 4/03/08 @ 12:37 PM EST
• I would like to respectfully disagree with the previous comment. During weekend nights especially, Public Safety officers are called to every part of this campus. (Continued…)
Amy
posted 4/06/08 @ 4:26 PM EST
Besides everything people have been saying, we all know that if Public Safety had just asked students what we thought about it, we would have said it was ridiculous. (Continued…)
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