Safe Ride looks for new funding, sees changes
Bailey McBride
Issue date: 10/24/08 Section: News
The UA Safe Ride program is undergoing major changes as it loses the ability to use federal funding and switch to an entirely shuttle-based system.
Federal law dictates that universities cannot use federal funding to provide private programs, and because of this, the Safe Ride program can no longer operate its fixed route with the Razorback Transit buses. The Safe Ride vans are paid for through student fees, and they still will continue to operate.
"Monday and Tuesday, the vans drive along the old fixed route, and students can call to request a pick-up," said Jonathan Powell, head of the Associated Student Government senate. "Wednesday through Saturday, students can still call for a ride anywhere they need as before."
The Safe Ride also program has moved to the Harmon Avenue Parking Garage, ASG Secretary Emily Burrow said. Because the previous location was in a building that was funded through federal means, Safe Ride had to relocate from Transit and Parking to a new office in the Harmon Parking Deck. The vans also are stored there.
Because of the significant drop in funding, the ASG is exploring multiple options as to where the make-up funds will come from.
"We're in the process of looking into two federal grants with the sole purpose of keeping drunk drivers off the road that could provide between $450,000 and $4.5 million in funding to the program," Powell said. "If we got that, we could see a reduction in student fees, if not a removal of the fee entirely."
Powell also said that the ASG would like to begin an endowed fund to continue the Safe Ride program, which would require a starting sum of $2 million.
If the ASG is unable to receive federal funding, a rise in student fees may have to occur to cover the lack of funds.
A few weeks ago, the Safe Ride program did get a boost from a $2,000 donation from the David R. Johnson II Memorial Fund.
Dave Johnson, a professor in the Walton College of Business, is in charge of this fund, which donates a few thousand dollars every year to the Safe Ride program for its immediate needs and for better awareness in honor of Johnson's son, who was killed in a drunk driving accident in 2004.
Federal law dictates that universities cannot use federal funding to provide private programs, and because of this, the Safe Ride program can no longer operate its fixed route with the Razorback Transit buses. The Safe Ride vans are paid for through student fees, and they still will continue to operate.
"Monday and Tuesday, the vans drive along the old fixed route, and students can call to request a pick-up," said Jonathan Powell, head of the Associated Student Government senate. "Wednesday through Saturday, students can still call for a ride anywhere they need as before."
The Safe Ride also program has moved to the Harmon Avenue Parking Garage, ASG Secretary Emily Burrow said. Because the previous location was in a building that was funded through federal means, Safe Ride had to relocate from Transit and Parking to a new office in the Harmon Parking Deck. The vans also are stored there.
Because of the significant drop in funding, the ASG is exploring multiple options as to where the make-up funds will come from.
"We're in the process of looking into two federal grants with the sole purpose of keeping drunk drivers off the road that could provide between $450,000 and $4.5 million in funding to the program," Powell said. "If we got that, we could see a reduction in student fees, if not a removal of the fee entirely."
Powell also said that the ASG would like to begin an endowed fund to continue the Safe Ride program, which would require a starting sum of $2 million.
If the ASG is unable to receive federal funding, a rise in student fees may have to occur to cover the lack of funds.
A few weeks ago, the Safe Ride program did get a boost from a $2,000 donation from the David R. Johnson II Memorial Fund.
Dave Johnson, a professor in the Walton College of Business, is in charge of this fund, which donates a few thousand dollars every year to the Safe Ride program for its immediate needs and for better awareness in honor of Johnson's son, who was killed in a drunk driving accident in 2004.
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