By Mikayla Geraghty – Staff Writer

Bishop’s University’s Students’ Representative Council (SRC) is piloting a new Safe Drive program seeking to improve students’ safety against sexual violence and foster a better overall experience for students. In a conversation with The Campus, SRC President Sophia Stacey described the purpose of the initiative as a preventative measure against sexual violence and a safety measure to reduce after-hour incidents related to alcohol consumption.

The SRC cannot confirm at this time when the program will be launched, but Stacey told The Campus that after two years of working on the program, they are “getting close to having something concrete to provide to students.” 

According to the SRC, the Safe Drive program will provide safe transportation for Bishop’s students to different points in Lennoxville both on and off campus. The safe drivers will transport students wherever requested within a four-kilometre distance from the university’s campus. Drivers will undergo a training program before they are allowed to actively work. The training program will be carried out and sanctioned by Bishop’s University, mandatory for all hired candidates. The drivers will be further vetted by the university and will be required to provide a valid criminal record check, a clean driving record and a valid Canadian driver’s license. While there is no minimum amount of driving year experience required, employees of the Safe Drive program are required to hold a “full license” issued by their province.

There are currently two potential job positions that Bishop’s students can apply for, the Safe Driver team leader position and the Safe Driver position. The SRC has accepted applications for the positions and will reopen applications when they are closer to piloting the program, as to allow students another opportunity to apply.  

When asked his thoughts on the program, Ryan McDonald, a third year sports studies major, said that he believes it is a good idea, citing an increase in students driving to the on-campus bar since the snow has melted. He went on to say that “programs like this one will help keep the roads safer for everyone.” 

Third year business student Justin St-Denis was also asked to comment on the program. He stated, “I think this is a good idea in theory, however, I don’t believe that our student safety fees should be raised until this is a program that we are actively benefiting from.” 

On Feb. 21, the SRC announced that students had passed a referendum establishing a mandatory Student Safety Fee of $4.50 each semester. $2 of this fee would be allocated to Safe Drive. 600 students, or 22 per cent of the student body, voted in the referendum, with 78.5 per cent voting in favour.

Students looking to take advantage of the Safe Drive program are expected to carry their Bishop’s identification cards.

Champlain students and out of town guests are welcomed to use the program. However, they will need to be accompanied by a BU student with a valid ID. Each Bishop’s student will be entitled to a “plus one” when using the service.  

The Campus will continue to monitor the progress of this initiative and will provide updates as they come.