The Feminist Majority and the Security Advisory Committee have been working individually to revitalize the campus escort system, but despite sharing the same goal the groups have had some trouble reaching that destination.
The Feminist Majority has been concerned with safety issues since last spring, when a recommendation was issued by the Department of Security that escorts limit service to on-campus locations.
However a lack of communication and coordination between the Feminist Majority, the Advisory Committee, and new Director of Safety and Security Keith James has delayed the implementation of their plans.
"We made a tremendous amount of progress last year on this effort . . . with an OK from Security and a few finishing touches, we'd be all set to officially begin this program," Feminist Majority co-chair junior Correne Spero said.
That necessary OK has been slow in arriving however, according to Feminist Majority members. Spero said, "We were really frustrated because we showed up for two meetings and Keith James stood us up both times."
James said, "I am available and willing to talk to anyone so it puzzled me that they're saying I stood them up."
Early in the year, James met with Feminist Majority members to give them feedback on the ideas they'd developed with former Acting Director of Safety and Security Joe DiChristina.
The Majority had already recruited student volunteers who would act as off-campus escorts, reserved a security vehicle for their use, and asked the Sexual Assault Support Team (SAST) to provide escort "sensitivity training" on how to handle a variety of possible circumstances.
Meanwhile, James helped establish the Advisory Committee, which is made up of student senators, the Oberlin police and fire chiefs, and other students concerned with issues of safety.
"The frustrating thing about this whole effort is that there's been a big lack of communication … both groups seem to have the same agenda; it would be a lot more efficient if we could all work together," said sophomore Sara Selig, a member of the Feminist Majority.
James said that he hasn't been in contact with Majority members for awhile due to some miscommunication.
He added that "My next step at this point will be to try and bridge the communication gap between the two task forces and see if we can't all work together until we come up with a solution that satisfies all of us."
"We've talked about not only what Feminist Majority members have suggested, but also the possibility of establishing a shuttle system which would patrol the grounds at peak times to provide people with escorts if necessary," said James.
Despite student frustrations and communication gaps, members of both the task force and the Majority plan to continue to work toward achieving their visions of a new and improved escort system. vSophomore David Heafitz, a member of the Advisory Committee, said, "Although people are frustrated that there hasn't been immediate action as far as implementing these ideas, it's not unreasonable that these things take time. The only way to achieve our goals is through cooperation. Everyone is working towards a common goal, and that will lead to positive growth and change."
Related Stories:
