2008 Woodie Awards
Walk reveals poorly lit areas
Lindsay Lorenz
Issue date: 11/8/07 Section: News
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The annual Safety and Lighting walk was established to identify areas of campus that aren't well lit or are in need of maintenance.
"We're basically looking out for our students' safety," said Nicole Pelletier, chair of Student Senate's campus affairs committee, who led the walk.
Joining Pelletier were representatives from University Facilities Services, the office of Housing and Residential Life, campus security and URI Police, as well as Fran Cohen, the dean of students. The group came armed with flashlights and notepads.
In about an hour and a half, the group covered the entire campus, stopping frequently to point out any non-working light bulbs or flickering lights.
"It's no question that, in general, the campus is well lit," said Jerry Sidio, director of Facilities Services. But during the walk, the group found several problems with the lighting.
"This is the most I think I've seen out in all my years," Sidio said.
The Terrace Apartments were particularly dark because the large light that illuminates the parking lot was in need of new light bulbs.
Nicole Jacques, a student senator and a Terrace Apartments resident, said that it can be quite difficult to see where she is going without the lights. In addition, almost half of the lights above the doors were out.
Other residence halls left in the dark include parts of Barlow, Eddy, and Adams halls, as well as several fraternity and sorority houses.
Lights leading to the main entrance of the library were also out, making an area frequented by students rather dim.
Taft and Davis halls, the Biological Sciences Center, the Fine Arts Center and the Keaney parking lot also had some issues with lighting.
The group unanimously agreed that it was necessary to add lights in the area between Independence and Green halls because the area appeared unusually dark. With many students having classes or activities held well after dusk in Independence, the group said that lighting there is essential.