Volume CXXXII, Number 5 October 18, 2002 f

Annual lighting walk illuminates unsafe areas
EVAN S. KOHN
ORIENT STAFF

The annual Lighting Walk is an event involving Bowdoin students, security workers and electricians that travel around campus on a designated evening to discover areas of campus in need of new lighting or lighting repairs. This year's walk, the eighth since 1996, took place on October 8, a night chosen due to the fact that there was a new moon, and thus no lunar light to bias the group's observations.
Participants included walk-leader and Assistant Director of Security Louann Dustin-Hunter, head electrician Rick Minot, Director of Security Bruce Boucher, and members of the Residential Life staff. "It was helpful to have an electrician with us because we then could know how expensive the lights would be as well as the level of feasibility to make each repair," said Dustin-Hunter. Although students were emailed an invitation via the Student Digest, no students participated this year.
"From the walk, 20 suggestions were made regarding light repairs and changes on various locations around campus. In addition, five students emailed proposals. In some places, the group discovered that lights were just out, so all they needed to do was file a work order," said Dustin-Hunter. She noted that each year, fewer suggestions are made.
Moreover, the walk is not the only time that the college keeps its eyes open for needed changes with campus lighting. "Security calls in on a regular basis throughout the year if lights need repairs," said Dustin-Hunter. All reports, including the ones from the Lighting Walk, are sent to the Director of Facilities, Dave DeAngelo.
Many of the problem areas this year were with flashing bulbs that were constructed by Central Maine Power in several lights on Maine Street. In such cases, the Facilities Department simply contacted CMP to have them fix the appropriate lights.
Dustin-Hunter added, "We would love to see more students participate in the walk in future years." If students would like to inquire about places on campus in need of light or lighting repairs, they can contact Dustin-Hunter at ldustin@bowdoin.edu.