TO THE EDITOR:
The editorial, “The University should purchase Buzz Rides,” rightly points out that SafeWalk provides a decent service at a very high cost per student served. All the while, Buzz Rides serves many more students at a much lower cost. However, the solution isn’t DPS buying Buzz Rides or the Student Safety Security Committee providing a “grant.”
First, University ownership of Buzz Rides likely entails weighty management regulations that come with government ownership. Second, giving “grants” to socially desirable private entities is an increasingly common governmental tool but is also a sophisticated transaction requiring close oversight and accountability. I do not think the SSSC can provide such ongoing oversight.
Instead, I propose that the University contract with Buzz Rides to pay a certain amount per student ride in exchange for preferential treatment for students and advertising student safety resources. (What better time to advertise the importance of consent than on the way home from the bar?) I hope Student Congress will put politics aside and embrace outcome-focused policies that best serve our community. Let’s get to work.
David Goldberg
Graduate Student
Member, Student Safety and Security Committee
