Blue lights in laundry rooms

After a recent string of violence, the University expanded the safety-beacon program, most notably by installing coin-operated blue lights in laundry rooms throughout campus.

According to the Boston College Police Department, the measure is consistent with the goal of the safety-beacon program, namely to make students feel safe in areas of campus where they currently may not.

"I feel a lot safer when doing my laundry now," said Jeremy Stuart, a freshman living on Upper Campus and A&S '10. "I don't feel obligated to do my laundry during the day anymore, with a large group of people."

The O'Connell House was the first facility to be equipped with the new lights.

For 75 cents the light will flash for 30 seconds. For each additional quarter, the light will flash for an additional 10 seconds.

Several student groups have expressed concerns in the recent weeks regarding the efficiency of the new blue lights.

"I think it's a great idea," says Casey Morgan, LSOE '08, "but I'm a little upset that the lights don't take Eagle Bucks. It's tough to fumble through change when I'm panicked."

"Everything else in our laundry rooms is coin-operated. We're trying to get them all Eagle Bucks compliant but it may take some time," said University Spokesman Jack Dunn.

"When I'm panicked, I'd have trouble swiping my card. And you know - when it's a little bent - it doesn't swipe easily all the time. Changing it to a card system's not a solution either," said Erica Mitchell, A&S '07.

Some are even asking why they have to be charged for the service.

"It's not cheap to run a university. Ketchup dispensers, wainscoting in dormitories like Walsh Hall, and other amenities need to be funded somehow. Constant tuition hikes of over 5 percent just aren't enough, even with the endowment making a 20 percent return," said a University spokesman.

"This is all in an effort to keep tuition rates as low as possible. It can be achieved. We don't feel that this is at the expense of student safety. We consider this an additional service, and a premium should be charged."

"These new beacons are going to lower crime on campus and make students feel safer, without a doubt," said a representative from the BCPD.