Illustration by Caroline Dylag
An online petition asking Conn students to support a new appeal to support a “safe rides” program has been posted on Facebook. The purpose of the safe rides program is to prevent students from driving drunk on their way back to campus from local bars on weekend nights. The petition argues that “students are at risk of injury, assault, and death. We simply cannot let this be a reactionary move—it must be preemptive. The college needs to provide a shuttle service to and from the bars, or a reliable safe ride program. The safety of Connecticut College students is the number one priority, so this issue must be addressed as soon as possible.”
According to the petition, students have been going to bars in New London more frequently than in the past. This situation has created a growing concern for the safety of the students who venture off campus to drink.
Karam Sethi ’12 is not satisfied with Conn’s current lack of a safe rides program. “An increase in illegal parking and drunk driving is directly correlated with the new initiatives,” he noted. “Break up on-campus parties and students will drive drunk to bars. It is the administration’s responsibility to provide a safe environment for this happen. Right now, Conn isn’t doing that.”
The online petition goes so far as to suggest that the cab drivers themselves might be under the influence, so even they are not a reliable method of transportation late at night in New London. Corey Ogilby ’12, who is involved with the Facebook petition, attested that she has been “in numerous cabs in which the driver is intoxicated or high, as have numerous other students at this school.” She cites a case of a cab driver pulled over in New London last weekend to take a breathalyzer test while driving a Conn student.
By just the fifth day of its creation, the online petition had over 250 signatures, approximately half the size of the senior class. One idea pitched during SGA’s open forum was that the Camel Van should run later hours for students to get a ride back from the bars as to avoid dangerous situations. The issue has been debated informally by a group of students in charge of drafting a formal resolution, but presently it appears that the resolution will not involve the Camel Van. Raising the funds for a safe rides program is currently a topic of conversation within SGA.
Funding is not the only obstacle the safe rides initiative faces. Some students disagree with the proposal in principle, stating that they believe if the college implements safe rides, it is essentially encouraging drinking. Others are concerned that it may have negative effects on the school’s relationship with the town. “A shuttle to the bar creates and encourages an atmosphere where many will go into New London to party more,” explained Hilary Coleman ’14. “This could lead to a different dynamic with the locals that may not be positive.”
Having more access to bars off campus enables a greater number of students to enter into potentially unsafe situations away from the protection on campus. A number of students would prefer that the school use its funds for weekend activities that would benefit students seeking a more wholesome environment not involving alcohol. However, other students argue that if Connecticut College were to begin a “safe rides” program, not only would the college be keeping their classmates safe from harm, but would also make the surrounding town that much safer, lessening the possible threat of drunk drivers. As Kate Gulick-Tuers ‘13 explained, “by providing the service, Conn is allowing students to make a responsible choice and reducing the likelihood of dangerous decisions.”
“I personally think it would be a nice thing to have, but it is not something for us to promote as a school,” argues SGA Smith Senator Jordan Hillman ’13. “We should be promoting a culture of personal responsibility.” Hillman acknowledges the safety concerns but reasons, “since we are all adults, it should be our responsibility to figure out how we are getting home.” •
