2008 Woodie Awards
SAFEWalk may be cut due to budget shortfall
Jerica Harvey
Issue date: 11/14/07 Section: News
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SAFEWalk is being reevaluated to decide whether it will continue to be a service offered to students.
University Police Officer Faye "Sarge" Schouten, coordinator of the program, said a combination of recent budget cuts and a lack of student usage have created discussions within the department about the future of the program.
"With the budgets getting smaller and smaller, it's becoming more and more difficult to have the [SAFEWalker's] pay come out of the police budget," Schouten said.
She also said the program being under-utilized adds a greater stress to the situation.
Currently, UW-Whitewater does not specifically pay for SAFEWalk to function. The university allocates a certain budget to University Police department to decide how much money they can use to support the program.
Certain student organizations have been making offers and donations to ensure SAFEWalk continues to serve students who do use the program. Whitewater Student Government has made $400-500 offers to SAFEWalk; however, Schouten said they have not been able to receive the money because of budget conflicts. Students Against Sexual Violence have also made a number of small donations through fundraising.
Whitewater Student Government Senator Laura Plamann does not want to see the program end.
"I think it is a tragedy that the program may be cut," she said. "Not only being a WSG senator and knowing how hard it is to get a program started once the idea or issue comes about, but also as a student who walks around campus at night."
Junior David Blue said he feels safe on campus but thinks it might be best to keep options open to students.
"Whitewater is a pretty safe town … There is still the chance of someone getting hurt when walking around in the dark," he said.
Schouten believes the program is not taken advantage of because students possibly feel safe on campus already and students knowing they have SAFEWalk as an option creates a perception of safety.
University Police Officer Faye "Sarge" Schouten, coordinator of the program, said a combination of recent budget cuts and a lack of student usage have created discussions within the department about the future of the program.
"With the budgets getting smaller and smaller, it's becoming more and more difficult to have the [SAFEWalker's] pay come out of the police budget," Schouten said.
She also said the program being under-utilized adds a greater stress to the situation.
Currently, UW-Whitewater does not specifically pay for SAFEWalk to function. The university allocates a certain budget to University Police department to decide how much money they can use to support the program.
Certain student organizations have been making offers and donations to ensure SAFEWalk continues to serve students who do use the program. Whitewater Student Government has made $400-500 offers to SAFEWalk; however, Schouten said they have not been able to receive the money because of budget conflicts. Students Against Sexual Violence have also made a number of small donations through fundraising.
Whitewater Student Government Senator Laura Plamann does not want to see the program end.
"I think it is a tragedy that the program may be cut," she said. "Not only being a WSG senator and knowing how hard it is to get a program started once the idea or issue comes about, but also as a student who walks around campus at night."
Junior David Blue said he feels safe on campus but thinks it might be best to keep options open to students.
"Whitewater is a pretty safe town … There is still the chance of someone getting hurt when walking around in the dark," he said.
Schouten believes the program is not taken advantage of because students possibly feel safe on campus already and students knowing they have SAFEWalk as an option creates a perception of safety.
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