With the recent upgrade in lighting along both sides of Bishop Boulevard, SMU students may feel more secure walking on campus at night.
The university has taken steps to ensure safety by creating well-lit pedestrian pathways on the Hilltop, most of which are obvious to students and visitors.
However, tradition and bureaucracy within the university may impede efforts to shed more light on certain areas, according to Michael Paul, executive director of Engineering and Energy Management for SMU Campus Planning and Plant Operations.
Paul addressed the student senate Tuesday and invited senators and any concerned students to take part in a “light walk” at 8 p.m. on Oct. 6. The purpose of the annual event is to identify poorly lit areas on campus.
With a number of construction projects under way, Paul said his office is working to ensure that safety is not compromised. Procedures have been changed, he said, to make certain that lights illuminating sidewalks next to building sites are left on during the evening hours.
Paul also mentioned that the recent replacement of large, commercial light poles on Bishop Boulevard made way for additional improvements, including bollards that will be placed at each crosswalk along the boulevard. The new fixtures also address the annoyance of a lack of electricity in the center of the boulevard that could be used for tailgating during football games. He said the bollards feature electrical outlets at their bases and should be installed by the next home game.
Recently, several vehicles have been burglarized along fraternity row, including the alleyway behind the Greek houses. He said the alley belongs to the city of University Park and that it is not his department’s responsibility to see that it is well lit.
When pressed, noting that the houses and grounds themselves are in fact owned by SMU and that the university is responsible for their maintenance, Paul said that a specific request would need to be completed through Residence Life and Student Housing for a new light to be installed. Fraternities would then have to pay for the new fixture as well as the electricity to power it.
In addition, senators asked about the main quad in front of Dallas Hall.
“That hasn’t been lit for 100 years, so I’m pretty opposed to lighting the main quad,” Paul said.
He reiterated that pathways have been created on the perimeter of the quad, including the area in front of Fondren Library, next to Dallas Hall, in front of McFarlin Auditorium and at the flagpole.
“We have what I think are sufficient paths, and we don’t really have security concerns with the main quad,” he said.
Through collaboration with SMU Police, Paul said that the majority of safety and security concerns, including criminal activity and students simply stumbling in the dark, have been addressed with the improved lighting he has overseen.
Students wishing to be involved with the student senate light walk next Tuesday evening should contact Michael Paul at [email protected].
