Dear Editor,

I am writing as a student in my Senior year in the Community Health program, in my last semester of undergrad. As a transfer student, one of the first things that I noticed about Northeastern Illinois University was how incredibly beautiful the campus is. There are such great lush green spaces. While walking through the campus, it’s easy to spot the Blue Light Emergency Call System in contrast to the green landscape. Like many others on campus, I’ve always viewed the Blue Light towers as a visible symbol of safety, however, recently I learned they may not all be fully functional.

While discovering that we can not rely on the Blue Light Emergency Call System, I also learned that there is an app that the campus is using instead, but I was totally unaware of this app. This frightens me to think that if I had an emergency on campus in which my safety was at risk, I would have run to one of these lights yet been unable to get the help I needed. In a serious safety concern, it would be at least nice if we had some kind of signage on the Lights that do not work pointing to use the Campus Shield App, or perhaps the non-working lights could be removed altogether to avoid such a risk happening.

As a Community Health major, understanding clear and concise public health education and promotion is always at the forefront of my mind. After learning about the Campus Shield App, this does seem like a great addition to the safety on campus but I am left wondering, what about these Blue Call Lights?  In a crisis, students need clear, reliable options. If technology has shifted, shouldn’t communication shift with it?

My reason for writing this is to ask, why haven’t the Blue Lights been removed or repaired? Why is there no signage directing students to the app? How is the app being promoted or taught to all incoming students? Particularly, transfer students who may not be attending freshmen orientation. If the Blue Light system is obsolete, shouldn’t the University inform the community and remove or repurpose them?

My hope in writing this letter is to increase transparency on campus about the Blue Light Call Systems not working and to receive a public update on how the campus seeks to address this safety concern. Clear communication concerning student safety on campus is of greatest importance to all of us, no matter what our role is in the Northeastern Illinois University community.  I hope this letter opens a dialogue about how we communicate safety measures on campus and ensures students are never left in the dark– literally or figuratively. 

Sincerely, 

Leslie Thompson