OU spreads new light on parking garages

by Laura M. Schneider
Senior Campus Writer

Ohio University Facilities Management officials shed a little light on safety concerns expressed by OU students about on-campus parking garages.

Officials turned overhead lights back on in past weeks after students and OU Student Senate complained lighting in the parking garages was not adequate.

The lights originally were dimmed mid-June in an effort to reduce energy consumption at OU, said Ted Fares, director of engineering services and technical support for Facilities Management.

Student senators passed a resolution on Oct. 17 in favor of increased lighting in the parking garages after they received student complaints and surveyed the lighting.

Fares also received some student complaints.

"We're here to serve our students and protect them," he said. "I want to save energy, but not at the expense of the safety of anybody, whether it's students or administrators."

Christy Frank, senate residence life commissioner, and other commission members took a closer look at the reported problem.

"The problem was mostly during the day," Frank said. "It was just so dark you couldn't see. It wasn't as bad when you were driving because you had headlights, but once you got out of your car it was dangerous."

All lights were on at night, but every other light was turned off from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fares said.

Fares said the lighting levels always were at or above national standards for safety, but he wanted to respond to students' concerns.

Sarah Weigel, West Green senator, surveyed the garages in response to complaints brought to senate.

"It's much better and I think for now, it works really well," said Weigel.

Though Frank said complaints were mostly in regards to West Green parking garages, the lighting was increased in all on-campus garages.

Fares said he plans to communicate with students on lighting and other energy consumption issues in the future.