A Dangerous Cut

In the recent round of budget cuts, the administration seemingly forgot to include student safety in their cost-benefit analysis. During these tough economic times, it is understandable that FAS must cut a number of costs to preserve Harvard’s solvency, but the move to dramatically reduce shuttle service is an especially poor choice for a cut, as it severely compromises student safety for an incommensurate financial gain. The proposed cuts to night shuttle service create a variety of hazards and constraints in the lives of students, as do the inconvenient cuts to morning service on weekends.

While the administration contends that shuttle use during the hours of service reduction is light, when the issue of student safety is on the table, cuts should not just be evaluated by how many students ride the shuttle at certain times, but also by the importance of shuttle travel for the well-being of individual students.

The night service cuts present a clear danger to every student in the Quad, as walking to the Quad late at night through Cambridge Common is an unsafe proposition, as evidenced by recent safety incidents in the area. There have already been enough crimes in Cambridge Common for the UC to request additional safety measures for the area. Given the danger of braving the Common, the shuttle cuts present a significant constraint in the lives of Quad students.

Quadlings should not have to choose between working on a group project with friends who live on the River and coming home safely, or running a quality student group event and coming home safely, or just working late in Lamont and coming home safely. The shuttle cuts have the potential to not only restrict these pursuits, but also to increase the incidence of students feeling pressured to stay in others’ rooms or being unable to leave a situation that makes them uncomfortable.

In reaction to the outcry over safety, the administration has presented the escort and van services as alternative transport options. These, however, are not currently viable substitutes for shuttle service, due to their slow and unreliable response times. In addition, the escort service only operates until 2:00 a.m. on Sunday through Wednesday nights, just 30 minutes later than the new shuttle schedule will end, and the van service stops taking calls at 2:30. The shuttle in its current form is the only dependable and safe method for traveling home at any hour of the night.

The cuts to the weekend morning service will also have a negative impact on the lives of Quad students. Athletes facing early practices will have to brave hazardous and icy conditions for many months of the year. Students going to morning religious services on the weekend will face similar challenges, as the shuttle will not start until 12:15, when many services will already be done.

There are already concerns about housing inequity on campus, as many students dread being “Quadded” when Housing Day comes around. The last thing we need is to add a fear for their own safety into the life of Quad students. The shuttle cuts create substantial dangers during the nighttime and inconvenience at all hours. In reaction to the outrage over these shuttle cuts during the town-hall meetings, the administration promised to reevaluate the plan. We hope they follow through and repeal this dangerous decision.