Ohio University is in the process of removing the blue light emergency phones across campus, sparking a conversation about the future of university safety.
The blue light phones are located all across campus, along the bike path surrounding campus, and at the main entrances of each residence hall.
Since their installment in the 1990s, the blue emergency safety lights have provided a sense of security for the community. When activated, they connect students to campus security or local law enforcement.
However, with the growing use of cell phones, these blue lights have fallen into disuse.
Samantha Pelham, a university spokesperson, said in an email that in 2019, the University completed a study to assess the usefulness of blue light phones on the Athens campus and provided suggestions for future use.
The study reviewed the blue light phone usage on the campus from 2010 to 2019 and the number of calls to Ohio University's Police Department (OUPD) from 2018 to 2019, showing that blue light phones are not being used for emergencies.
“I can’t, in my career, remember ever responding to a blue light filing for a serious emergency,” Tim Ryan, OUPD’s staff lieutenant, said.
Ryan noted how the blue light phones on campus provide a feeling of safety for students but are rarely used for emergencies.
“I do think that blue light phones for whatever reason, provide people a feeling of safety, and that is important to some extent,” Ryan said. “Is it worth it to pay for the maintenance and upkeep of something that isn't really being used for its purpose but does provide people with the feeling of safety?”
Pelham said in the email that no blue light phones have been removed from campus yet; the plan is to phase them out and remove them as their equipment fails.
Student Senate Bill 1920-25 suggested removing the blue lights and repurposing one or two into courtesy phones for students needing directions or access.
Over the years, OU has introduced alternative methods to improve campus safety. Ryan suggested different options such as texting 911, direct calls to OUPD and the Go OHIO app, which contains safety links and resources, as alternatives to the blue light phones.
A student organization, "Phone a Friend," now provides students with a more accessible alternative to using cell phones for late-night safety concerns.
Jess Mitchell, the president and founder of the club, created the organization as a resource for students who need help walking home at night.
“That's what my inspiration was for all this,” Mitchell said. “Basically, it's going to be a student organization trying to connect with an approach against sexual violence on our campus. We are playing on historically red weekends, which, historically, rates of sexual violence have been the highest, like Halloween and Homecoming.”
Phone a Friend operates through an automated text messaging system for those needing help. A student must text the number, and two volunteers of the service will come to walk them home.
