Loyalist pathways are too dark at night, students say

The path passing by Loyalist’s townhouse residence (above) is poorly lit, students say. Photo by Aynslee Darmon

By Aynslee Darmon 

BELLEVILLE – Concerns have been piling up about a lack of lighting along the paths at the rear of Loyalist College, according to the residence leader on the college’s student government.

Lina Fuchs, who is also a residence assistant, said that the concerns are mostly from female students worried about walking alone at night. The path that runs among the older apartment-style residences to the new-residence townhouses and all the way to the Shark Tank pub is where it is the darkest.

“Most students worry about safety. Women from (the new residence) are the ones who I hear from the most,” Fuchs said.

Second-year Business Sales and Marketing student Shanice Jardine said she feels very strongly about the lack of lighting: “I hate walking around res at night to take out the garbage, visit friends or even go to pub, because you are literally walking in pitch black by yourself.”

Fuchs, who studies Graphic Design, also said that she doesn’t feel comfortable walking alone.

“Personally, for myself when I am on duty as RA, I always have a radio with me and at least one other person, but I know it can be scary,” she said.

The college offers a Walk Safe program on Thursday nights, which are pub nights. Students who need someone to walk to and from pub with can ask the Walk Safe team.

In addition, on every day of the week, students who are at residence or the Kente building can ask a security guard to accompany them safely between buildings or to a car. The Campus Security number to call is 613-969-1913, ext. 2148.

Third-year Graphic Design student Katelyn Shier, who lives in the townhouse residence, said, “I worry any time I leave my house when it gets dark, especially now that it’s getting dark earlier. Even when I am walking with someone, it can be so dark that I can’t even see beside me.”

QNet News contacted Loyalist’s Facility Services department to ask about the lighting, but did not receive a response by deadline.