By Wyatt Garrett
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — After the sun sets, students around campus begin to question their safety.
Kristen Darnell, a graduate assistant for student affairs, said darkness around campus brings many fears to mind.
“I don’t feel safe because someone could literally pop out,” said Darnell. “There’s not much lighting for cars so they might not see me. I also have a fear of getting hit by a car.”
She usually calls her mom, or a friend, when walking at night. She likes to have someone to talk to so she doesn’t feel alone, Darnell said.
Maria Nessim, an intern at student affairs, said she feels uncomfortable when walking by herself at night.
“Campus itself is already kind of creepy at night. There’s not a lot of students who take night classes, so I already feel pretty alone walking on campus,” said Nessim. “Because I’m alone, I feel like I’m an easy target.”
Nessim and Darnell both agree better lighting would benefit the campus.
“Those little street lamps we have, they’re not that bright,” said Nessim. “They’re a nice, little design feature that we have on campus, but as far as functionality and producing light … I don’t like that.”
Corporal Allen Porter with the University of Arkansas Police Department (UAPD) said university police always aspire to better campus and the community.
“We’re always striving to invest in the community, as far as making it safer in any way, shape or form,” said Porter.
UAPD urges students to utilize resources like Safe Ride, UAPD escorts and the Rave Guardian app if they feel unsafe.
Every semester, UAPD partners with the Associated Student Government for a lighting tour of campus. The goal of the tour is to make note of areas on campus with improper lighting and proper placement of emergency towers, among other things.
This semester, the lighting tour is scheduled for Nov. 12.