SMU Rides, a program that provides free cabs to stranded students on weekends, will likely return this year with the anticipated support of the Student Senate at today’s meeting.
The program, implemented in 1995 by former Student Body President Mark Plunkett and Board of Trustee member Richard Weir, proved successful for nine years.
It was dropped for the 2004-2005 year because of conflicts with both the cab company and insurance policy.
According to Dr. Carol Clyde, Director of Leadership and Community Involvement, the cab company only had to comply by the standards set by the city of Dallas and further compromise was necessary to protect SMU.
From the moment SMU Rides terminated, the administration and student body recognized the importance in bringing it back to campus. Similar services are offered at eight of SMU’s 12 benchmark universities and Student Body President Liz Healy said, “There’s no specific incident that’s caused us to make this a priority.”
Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Jim Caswell said the biggest issue to overcome was funding and he is optimistic that the Student Senate will come through in providing the $5000 needed to jump start the program.
If approved, the SMU Rides could be running as early as mid-September.
“This is an important step in helping ensure student safety in our community. We are so pleased that the Student Senate is so affirmative in this project,” said Caswell.
Alpha Phi Omega, a national service fraternity, will manage the phones as they have in the past. SMU Rides Chair for APO Rajiv Parmar is optimistic about the new program but needs volunteers from student organizations to take calls during running hours. He looks forward to the prospect of incorporating the student body and insists that SMU Rides “is going to be better than ever.”
The objective of the program is to bring students safely home to campus or nearby residences.
The cabs will run Thursday through Saturday nights from 10:30 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. and can be called by dialing 214-SMU-RIDE.
Executive Taxi, the company replacing the former Yellow Cab company, will travel north to Spring Creek in Addison, east to Abrams, west to Marsh and south of downtown Dallas.
Executive Taxi drivers will be assigned specifically for this program and can be identified by an SMU Rides logo in the window.
The program is not intended as a personal designated driver service for students to go to various parties, clubs, or bars; the cabs are to be used only for rides home.
SMU Rides depends on teamwork within various campus departments.
“It’s such a great partnership between Student Senate, student organizations, and campus administration,” Clyde said.
Volunteers to answer phones should contact Rajiv Parmar at [email protected].
