The differences between Ohio University and Ohio State University extend beyond athletic team loyalty — the willingness of students at the two schools to walk home alone at night varies as well.
In the past year, OU students have used the campus escort service much less often than students at Ohio State.
Ohio State’s safety program is called the Student Safety Escort Service. Scheduled escort vehicles drive up to three students to their desired destination within campus boundaries. The service runs until 3 a.m. and is in effect year-round. The program has been in full service since the late 1990s because there was a need for safe transportation on the urban campus after numerous attempted abductions occurred, said Sean Bolender, program coordinator for Ohio State’s Student Safety Services.
Last year, OSU students received 24,000 rides, Bolender said.
Four vehicles were in service each night and provided transportation to students approximately every 10 minutes. Half of these students were those who had been out drinking on weekend nights, Bolender said.
The program used to use minivans as a mode of transportation, but each ride accommodated only an average of two people. The escort service recently acquired SUVs that use less gas and operate more efficiently in snowy weather.
Bolender’s position as program coordinator was recently made full time.
“I don’t see the program ending anytime in the near future,” he said.
Bowling Green State University has also launched a Campus Escort Service. Its website describes the service as “a safe alternative to walking alone.”
It is a student-run organization that provides rides to those walking home from work, the library or a late-night class. Like the other programs, it costs nothing for students to use.
However, with Uptown just a short trek up Jeff Hill, calls for escorts home are less prevalent on OU’s smaller, less urban campus.
OU’s Safe-T Patrol offers escort services to students walking home alone at night. These escorts operate seven days a week from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. during Fall, Winter and Spring quarters. The teams of escorts consist of two trained staff members who are in constant contact with the Ohio University Police Department.
A total of 374 students used the escort service during the last academic year, said Joni McCune, who has been Safe-T Patrol’s director and business manager since 2004.
Students offer varying responses to Safe-T Patrol’s services.
Freshman Melissa Gajewski heard about the service during Bobcat Student Orientation and at a floor meeting in her residence hall. She said she would not hesitate to call for an escort on a dark night.
Senior Adam Krause said he had never heard of any student actually taking advantage of the Safe-T Patrol escort program.
Both Gajewski and Krause said students who had been drinking might be more reluctant to call for an escort because of the possible consequences they could face. They said if there were a guarantee of no repercussions for intoxicated students, more people might use the service.
McCune said she wished more students would take advantage of the free program, adding that students who have been drinking should not shy away.
“They should still use the service,” she said. “It’s all about personal safety and personal responsibility.”
Students can call Safe-T Patrol at 740-593-4040.
aw317609@ohiou.edu
