Blue lights program gets $30,000
Student leaders hope to install as many as three emergency phones near Hearnes Center.
Published April 26, 2005
There soon might be a blue glow in the parking lot behind the Hearnes Center.
The Student Fee Capital Improvements Committee allocated $30,000 for the installation of blue light emergency phones in the parking lot behind the Hearnes Center.
Missouri Students Association President Tony Luetkemeyer requested $60,000 from the committee to install emergency phones at the new parking lot near Reactor Field, but committee members said they couldn't approve the full amount because there are other places Luetkemeyer could get the money.
SFCIC Student Chairman Chris Sander said Luetkemeyer could find funds from a variety of places including the MU Parents Association, the Hearnes Center Committee or Parking and Transportation Services.
Sander said committee members thought students used the Hearnes more than the Reactor field lot.
"We decided to fund it because the Hearnes Center should have one already, and it should have been built a while ago," he said. "Campus safety is a pretty high issue, and a blue light is something that, if used even one in a million times, is worth it. It'll make a difference. It's a presence thing. It's a deterrent to crime."
Luetkemeyer said he was pleased with the amount allocated for the lights.
"We over-budgeted to give ourselves some wiggle room," he said.
Luetkemeyer said he plans to discuss adding an emergency phone to the Reactor Field parking lot with Parking and Transportation Director Jim Joy to see if that department can contribute funds.
Depending on how close the phones are to a power source, installation costs can range from $8,000 and $15,000. Luetkemeyer said he's going to work with contractors to decide the best positioning, so MSA can fund as many systems as possible.
He said he would like to see three emergency phones placed in the parking lot.
"As far as specific area, I don't really care," he said. "I just want as many out there as possible."
Luetkemeyer said it was important to put emergency phones near Hearnes Center because of the poor lighting, and because it's difficult to see the parking lot from the street.
SFCIC member Andrew Cafourek said committee members recognized the need for emergency phones in the parking lot, but the committee didn't have the funds to back the entire project.
Sander said SFCIC approved funding for other projects this year, including adding security cameras to the Museum of Art and Archaeology, funding car-top lights for STRIPES and replacing lighting at Rhynsburger Theatre.
"You can never have too many blue lights, but with other priorities and given there are other possibilities for funding, that was probably adequate given the committee's resources," he said.