The sun predictably sets each evening, and Ohio University's campus goes dark. That's not news. But attempted assaults, abductions and rapes are news - and some of them are preventable. Even a little light can go a long way.
Eleven forcible sex offenses were reported on OU's campus in 2007, eight more than in 2006. Certainly, not all sex offenses are crimes committed in dark alleys. But lights could prevent some of the ones that are.
Some parts of OU are better lit than others, and Emeriti Park is one of the worst. When it was built, there wasn't enough funding for full lighting. Eight years later, that's still the case.
Emeriti Park is a high-traffic area. It serves as a thoroughfare between East and West greens, and South Green residents travel along its paths to get to and from Baker University Center. If student safety is a priority, the university should stop neglecting it - and stop neglecting Emeriti Park.
Having a safe campus - and the appearance of a safe campus - is also important to recruitment. No high school student is going to want to come to a school where he or she doesn't feel safe. OU has long prided itself on a safe, friendly atmosphere, and it would be a shame to let that slip away.
The cost to fix the lights in Emeriti Park is a one-time sum of $75,000. Considering that a certain top administrator got a raise of $85,000 just this year, it would be nice see OU officials devote even almost as much into a relatively minor structure fix that could have major benefits.
Now that would be news.
Editorials represent the views of The Post's executive editors.
4 Opinion
Lack of lighting around campus sparks concern for student safety
