STRIPES concludes semester
Wait time, funding and risk management will be considered next semester.
Published Dec. 8, 2009
STRIPES concluded its last weekend of operation for the semester last weekend.
STRIPES added one new car each semester for the past three semesters, bringing its total number of cars up to eight.
"We are continuously trying to add more cars and be more productive," STRIPES Director Tanner Tucker said. "One of those this semester was to run eight cars consistently every night, and I would say we met that goal."
The age to be a driver was lowered to 19 a year ago, which also improved STRIPES this semester since it drew a larger pool of volunteers, Tucker said.
"That was something that started last semester," Tucker said. "There haven't been any problems with that. It's been great. We've had a lot more volunteers that have come in and decided to join the program and help us out. I'd say it's been something that's been real successful."
Matthew Wheeler, formerly of The Maneater staff, will be taking over as STRIPES director next semester and said he has a few procedural changes he would like to implement.
"One thing I really want to do is work to decrease wait time," Wheeler said. "I know that's a complaint that many of our patrons have."
Tucker also said wait time was a prime focus this past semester.
"Of course it's impossible to get rid of wait times, but we really did reduce them," Tucker said. "I would say it was pretty successful."
Wheeler said he also wants to explore more avenues for funding.
"I want to work on getting more funding for STRIPES from the community and more community support," Wheeler said. "Those funds are going to be used to improve the program and again decrease wait time."
STRIPES is funded mostly by MSA, patron tips and donations from STRIPES alumni and community members.
Another thing Wheeler said he wants to focus on is risk management.
"I am coming off of having been the risk management chair for two years," Wheeler said. "I want to continue improving our risk management and getting even better training for our volunteers, which helps keep everyone safer."
STRIPES Driver Sarah Bustamante said she has never felt like she was in danger while on the job.
"We have an actual handbook of what to do if any situation should arise," Bustamante said. "I feel like I'm pretty able to handle any situation that comes up. Nothing really dangerous ever happens in the STRIPES car when we're out."
A final goal for next year was to become more connected with the students, Wheeler said.
"I also want to reach out to the student body and learn more about what they want from STRIPES and see what we can do to provide them with even better service in the future," Wheeler said.
The semester has gone off largely without a hitch, Tucker said.
"We are still looking for volunteers, and, at times, we have been short some nights and couldn't run as many cars, but I would say that's been the biggest problem," Bustamante said.