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SAFEwalk faces staff departures
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- SAFE programs get half of reqest (October 31, 2002)
- SSFC cuts half SAFEwalk funds (October 14, 2005)
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by Ken Harris
Thursday, May 1, 2008
The University of Wisconsin’s SAFEwalk program is facing hard times as a large number of its most experienced employees are quitting over dissatisfaction with the way the program is being run under its current supervisor.
Citing a lack of concern from management, multiple veteran SAFEwalk escorts have quit this week, ending their tenures before the end of the semester. This has left the program understaffed for the month and able to schedule just two teams of walkers on most nights and only one team on Saturdays, according to a schedule obtained by The Badger Herald.
“It’s not typical for SAFEwalkers to quit,” said Dana De Met, a UW senior and now former SAFEwalk employee. “There are people who’ve been here for years who in the past couple weeks decided to quit. I can’t work here anymore; it’s too depressing.”
De Met and a small group of SAFEwalk employees on their last night of duty expressed in an interview their grievances with the current management.
According to De Met, current supervisor Lisa Fike and UW Transportation Services Administrator Gordon Graham have been cutting the program while demand for its services has never been higher, causing people to get turned down for escort requests because there are no teams available.
Fike declined to comment on the situation Wednesday.
UW senior Andy Kellner said the employees requested adding another team of walkers for each night after UW junior Brittany Zimmermann was found slain in her home last month. Their requests were denied.
De Met said the only response the employees received from Graham was an e-mail telling them to increase the time they spent on patrol every night and to not let homework interfere with providing escorts.
“For that to be his only response to one of the biggest safety issues on this campus for the entire year is absolutely ridiculous,” De Met said. “We’ve never turned down a walk because we were doing homework. We’ve never even been late to a walk because we were doing homework.”
Graham said he has heard the criticism that the program is not staffed well-enough to meet the demand but added he does not believe too many people are being turned down.
But according to De Met, the management has also been out of touch with the employees, adding the other walkers who say their concerns about the program are not listened to or considered.
“I’m quitting out of protest,” De Met said. “If they’re not going to compromise whatsoever with us then I’m not going to give them my time.”
De Met said there used to be monthly staff meetings and weekly e-mails from their old supervisor to keep everyone informed. Since Fike took over the program, he added, there has not been a full staff meeting since last September.
Graham said to the best of his knowledge, SAFEwalk escorts meet with their supervisor every night when they check in at the start of their shift.
According to the former employees, this is not the case. The only person the two-member walking teams meet with when they check in is the student dispatcher.
“I’ve only seen her personally in the office twice, and I’m here probably three nights a week,” De Met said.
Graham said he thinks the students are mostly just upset about the changes that naturally come from switching the service from a mostly student-run program to one controlled by “some real guidance.” He added SAFEwalk’s communication is getting better and the program is only getting stronger.
The disgruntled escorts, however, said that is untrue and that there is no communication between them and Fike.
“The only thing we ever hear from [Fike] is timesheet e-mails,” DeMet said. “Once every two weeks, we’ll get an e-mail from her saying ‘Timesheets due on Sunday’ in the subject line and there won’t be any body to the message. She usually communicates in that way quite a bit.”
The former SAFEwalk employees said Fike is not familiar with the dispatcher program and policies, and once the experienced workers have all left there will be nobody to train new hires.
Ultimately, the group said they were most concerned about the safety of this campus, not their jobs, as most of them are graduating soon and would be ineligible to continue at their positions.
“I think this is something that needs to be brought to the students,” DeMet said. “It’s their safety, and it’s being sacrificed by decisions being made by people that don’t know what they’re doing.”
Anonymous (May 1, 2008 @ 6:43am):
These safe walkers are dead-on. And the "professional" staff's response post the death of Britney was atrocious.
Good for you Safe Walkers. Hopefully now somebody will listen and get those fools at Transportation Services the hell out.
Anonymous (May 1, 2008 @ 8:44am):
Someone should mention that the reduction in walkers causes the program to have to give out more cab rides (that could have been walks) - walkers are paid by transportation services but cads for SAFE ride come out of the ASM budget...
Anonymous (May 1, 2008 @ 8:48am):
"veteran" Safewalkers? How much experience is really needed to walk around campus?
Anonymous (May 1, 2008 @ 8:49am):
right on the money
Anonymous (May 1, 2008 @ 8:58am):
Thanks Safewalkers for all you do. (But, that one dude in the back does look kinda creepy.)
Anonymous (May 1, 2008 @ 9:42am):
reply to Anon 8:48: the "veteran" safewalkers have all been through scenerio and self defense trainings with the UWPD as well as training weekends that the new hires aren't getting. If there's an entire new staff and some of them get in a situation they've probably never had to deal with it before and won't know the best action based on their lack of training. Also, veterans know how to use the slightly ridiculous computer program used for dispatching cabs which is a pain to figure out.
Anonymous (May 1, 2008 @ 9:50am):
I knew when Transportation Services stopped cooperating with ASM on SAFEwalk/SAFEride that the student end of it would improve and 'professional' end of it would stink.
Anyone who saw the condescending way the 'professionals' tried to bully SSFC would not be surprised by this at all.
If UW professional departments were as well-vetted as GSSF groups funded by SSFC, a lot of unqualified people making a lot of money would be out of a job.
Anonymous (May 1, 2008 @ 10:36am):
Mr. Graham, thank you for your ignorance. You jack-ass.
Anonymous (May 1, 2008 @ 10:50am):
The newspaper in print form is a testament to why we need this program. On the left the headline reads: "Man shot on West Washington" and on the right the headline reads: "SAFEwalk faces staff departures". There are many incidences right now on campus and the program frequently suggested by the administration and police to keep students safe is decreasing. As someone who uses SAFEwalk and feels safer knowing that it's there, I am appalled that more is not being done.
Anonymous (May 1, 2008 @ 11:09am):
I just wanted to say thanks to Dana DeMet and the other SafeWalkers who have left their employment in order to add impact to the message they are getting across here. It takes a lot of bravery to stand up against a university that, for all that it says about "the Wisconsin experience" and the unique opportunities for students, often doesn't give a damn what students actually think. How many people need to be harassed, robbed, beaten, shot or murdered before this university decides to actively make student safety a priority?
Joe Erbentraut
Anonymous (May 1, 2008 @ 11:14am):
As a soon-to-be former Safewalker, I would like to add my two cents. This situation is absolutely ridiculous, and I cannot believe how unprofessional the "higher-ups" at Transportation Services have been. Gordon Graham-- you are truly a disappointment. The fact that you refuse to acknowledge that Lisa Fike is completely clueless and incompetent is absurd. She threatened to fire the entire staff last semester after being employed for three weeks, she has refused to learn how to dispatch, and she declined to hire any new Safewalkers last semster when we were already understaffed. Our attempts to reach out to you were ignored, and our attempts to meet with the Dean of Students have, thus far, not changed anything. HOWEVER, we are far from done. This program is not going to disappear, and now you are going to have to fight the media.
You are losing 20-plus dedicated, hard-working, and experienced employees. Good luck finding a new staff who will work under Lisa Fike. No, good luck finding ANYONE who will work under Lisa Fike.
Thank you.
Anonymous (May 1, 2008 @ 12:11pm):
Uh...so wait. You are concerned about Students' Safety, and Brittany Zimmerman's death has really heightened the need for your services...
So you quit SafeWalk. That makes...how much sense? How is campus safer because of this?
Anonymous (May 1, 2008 @ 1:53pm):
12:11 pm - It is not the responsibility of these students to keep our campus safe. if the system itself isn't protecting us, a group of employees shouldn't continue in their employment or be held responsible for student safety.
The city of Madison and the University need to realize that the safety of their students is an issue that needs to be addressed immediately. Cutting programs and hiring incompetent supervisors is not the way to go
Anonymous (May 1, 2008 @ 3:17pm):
12:11- quiting was our last option, we all really care about the program and have talked to EVERY person possible to get it back on track but it's turning into something that we can no longer support and be proud of. If our job and mission is being undermined by poor management we're not fulfilling our goal of making the campus safe and we needed to take a stand so people are aware.
Anonymous (May 1, 2008 @ 3:29pm):
So I opened up the Badger Herald site and see "Breaking News: Police Should Have Responded to Call from Zimmerman house" and then I looked down to see "Man Shot on West Wash." and THEN I see the next article is about SAFEwalkers quitting because of incompetent 'professionals' in the program. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ALL THESE AUTHORITY FIGURES? Its amazing that some people can hold such positions and yet have no common sense to realize a problem when it occurs.
In true Badger Herald style: HUGE ASO to Pike and Graham.
Anonymous (May 1, 2008 @ 4:33pm):
All Safewalkers care about is safety, and going home from a shift at safewalk knowing that we had to turn away so many people and can't do our job properly because we don't have enough staff hurts morale and hurts everyone on campus. We have repeatedly asked for more staff and for communication with our supervisors, so suggesting that quitting means we don't care about safety is downright insulting. Many Safewalkers have worked really hard the entire school year devoting countless hours to trying to improve the program against the current of incompetent management.
Anonymous (May 1, 2008 @ 6:48pm):
I'm amazed that not even one comment in response to this article has come from management. Don't they care about the harm their lack of attention to this issue is doing? Do they even know there is media attention being given, to their lack of providing a supervisory role, in providing the protection the students need. Reads to me like there is decicated students but not dedication from the higher paid management.
Maybe the salary of a few non responsive management people should be divided between the dedicated walking/dispatching staff and they will manage just fine. Atleast they CARE!
Safety is first, but safe walk participation through out this summer SOAR program would also be sorely missed. There is another class on it's way next fall that won't feel the same security that safe walkers have provided to previous classes.
Please someone in management take a stand and communicate to these experienced walkers, so that they can feel good about training the next generation of dedicated students who CARE!
Anonymous (May 1, 2008 @ 11:00pm):
Do not be quick to make poor judgment of the quality and level of commitment of those who were and still are employed by SAFEwalk. As an avid patron of the program, I most certainly agree that some of the finest students on this campus are those who have dedicated their time to the safety and well-being of the rest of us here at UW. Employees at SAFE: Your efforts to change the current situation are admirable. Thank you for all that you do.
Anonymous (May 1, 2008 @ 11:54pm):
Everytime I read about SAFE services and there's a quote from Graham, it makes my utter disdain for him grow. Every word he says makes him sound like he's only out to keep his job and not protect the students in need of SAFE services. I find it appauling that he would accuse the staff and deem it their fault by erroneously bringing their schoolwork into the argument.
It is also diheartening to find that the Dean of Students has done more to side with Graham instead of a large group of experienced employees.
After being rejected for a SAFE walk for being "too close" to my destination, at over a mile away with a surgical boot on my leg, I have lost all faith in the system.
I applaud the SAFEwalkers for taking a stand against a hierarchy of incompetents. Hopefully this will send a message that has so far been ignored.
Anonymous (May 2, 2008 @ 1:58am):
To say that SAFEwalk is suffering because it now has "some real guidance" (rather than being student-run) is ridiculous. It sounds like leadership under the higher-ups has been nonexistent and morale is incredibly low. How can a staff feel good about what they do when they receive so little communication from their leadership? It's incredibly sad to see students who aren't appreciated by the very people they work for. Simply to being respected and understood can make such a difference in the workplace. Thank you SAFEwalkers for everything you do. Know that people appreciate you and your service.
Anonymous (May 2, 2008 @ 2:02am):
What's even more ridiculous is Fike's lack of a response to all of this. It appears that she is literally too concerned about what her leadership will think, so she ends up not saying or doing anything! Take a stand, Ms Fike. If you want to improve the program or advertise or make change, then make it happen. Simply sitting on your hands and continuing this awful situation is not helping anyone. SAFEwalk is a family, why can't you treat them like one? Try using some compassion and communication, I promise you it would make a world of difference.
Anonymous (May 2, 2008 @ 4:48am):
Want to read more lies from Graham?
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/local/284334
Anonymous (May 2, 2008 @ 7:39am):
Good for you guys. I've heard nothing but bad things about Ms. Fike, and certainly hope that this will spur some change in the organization.
Anonymous (May 2, 2008 @ 8:02am):
I'm an ex-safewalker by 3 years, and while I'm saddened to see that the service has taken a nose-dive from mis-management, it's good to see that the students working there still care about it to this degree.
11pm is on the money - these students genuinely care about your safety and the campus climate, and they've endured budget debates a couple years ago and problems that have crept up recently only for that reason. Sure, its a college job, but it's also something of a labor of love. Back when I worked, Our boss put everything she had into the program and cared for it completely, and she only stepped down because she physically wasn't able to continue. Her successor *was* a former safewalker, but that only helped strengthen his dedication for the job and he brought many improvements. There was nothing unprofessional about the way he ran the program, as Graham implies.
I have no experience with Fike, but if the allegations in this article are true (I have no reason to believe they aren't) it's no way to run any program and would be unheard of under either of the bosses I had. You need to meet with your employees. You need to know what you are managing.
In the end, it's the whole campus that suffers. A lot of people pooh pooh safewalk, but theres plenty of people that take advantage of it - and safewalkers keep their eyes out for students both on and off of duty. They care about your safety, and they do what they can to help. It's criminal that Transportation isn't willing to help them.
Anonymous (May 2, 2008 @ 4:21pm):
Lovely how everyone is quick to condemn the administration, but no one is saying anything about safewalk's serious flaws. When Safewalk was student-lead, they hired their friends from within the greek system (no wonder they want more positions) and they have a history of logging fake walks to justify the existence of their program. Recently they've been complaining about not having enough homework time-- when they're getting paid to keep the campus safe, as they say.
We all like the idea of Safewalk, but let's face it-- how many of us actually use it? If anyone feels unsafe, 10 to 1 they're calling for the cab.
Thank you, Ms. Fike, for trying to clean up the program.
McCall Hocking (May 3, 2008 @ 8:45am):
As a former for SAFEwalker (and only due to graduation) it deeply saddens me to hear about the direction the new SAFE program is going. As to the comment above, I bite my lip so I don't call the person a jackass, but check your facts and realize that there is not Greek system within the SAFE program. And a history of logging fake walks? Where do you even come up with this? And if over 30 students a night feel the need for our SAFEwalk service, and over a 100 more for our SAFEcab, not to mention every drunk person who rides the 80 and 82 SAFEbus, then there IS a need for this program and a need for better administration.
I only had the joy to work at SAFE for one year, but in that one year, I had the pleasure working with some of the best people I have ever met in my lifetime. SAFEwalk was a group of wonderful students who really cared about the safety of everyone around them. Most of them were just simply amazing and compassionate people. Unfortunately, not everyone can afford a cab night after night, and this group of students were always there, rain, snow, blizzard.
I'd say I hope something bad happens to you the next night you roam campus so you can see the need for this program, but I don't because I was a SAFEwalker and understand that nobody wants more violence at UW. So, I would walk your dumbass safely to it's destination and patrole the streets for you until one in the morning, even though I had an 8am class, just to ensure the safety of my fellow Badger students whom I loved so dearly.
Ms. Fike, if you don't have the passion and genuine concern as the rest of the SAFEwalk staff, please step down, or at least move over so the students can do their job and help protect those who want it.
-McCall Hocking
Anonymous (May 3, 2008 @ 12:20pm):
As a SAFEwalker who graduated last December, I would like to respond to the last comment. In fact SAFEwalkers went through a rigorous 3 part interview process. The semester I was hired, over 80 student applied for 6 or 7 slots. You can hardly argue that nepotism was involved, particularily from the Greek system as only 1 safewalker was a member of a frat or sorority.
I do appreciate that the adminstration is trying to make the program more cost effective. However in looking at how SAFE was developed 12 years ago from a program of the now defunt Women's Transit Authority, many interests on campus were involved and infact UW made a study of similar programs at other schools in creating SAFE. It isn't a bad idea to periodically reevaluate and update the program-- its just being approached in completely the wrong manner at this time. Students who use the program, and those who don't, aren't being included and neither are the students who work on the front lines. The changes are being dictated by a bumbling, incompetant administration that has little contact with any of the afore mentioned groups, despite being contacted repeatedly about concerns with the direction of SAFE for the past 6 months. Additionally, if you look at the trajectory left by Jacob Hahn (the previous SAFE administrator), SAFE services were being used and recognized on campus at record levels.
Finally, until now, the approach to SAFE had been to maintain a passionate, knowledgeable, robust force of personable students throughout the year-- whether it be 30 below in January or Freshman welcome week. These staff are then familiar with and TO the community and when tragedy strikes our campus, as it has repeatedly in the past few years, they are trained and ready to help in a state of heightened safety concerns. And it has been effective, in my opinion. The point is whether you use SAFE twice a week or twice in your college career, you have the option for this service. This peace of mind for students, faculty, staff, and the people who care about them is what we are paying for.
Anonymous (May 3, 2008 @ 11:12pm):
4:21pm - You're allegations and assumptions are incorrect and insulting. There have been few Greek staff members of SAFEwalk, and this semester, out of 20 walkers there was only one who was a Greek member. I don't know where you're getting your facts.
A history of logging fake calls? That is completely untrue, and again, I wonder where you get this information. As a SAFE dispatcher, I can honestly say i have NEVER logged a fake call. Why would we need to - we've been giving out record numbers of walks! (which is good, as it means the campus is using us as a safety resource).
Complaining about not having enough homework time? Where did you hear that?
Lastly, SAFEwalk was "student-led" for about 5 months this past fall. Before that it was run by two very qualified adult supervisors. Those supervisors treated the students with respect and put their hearts and souls into the program, why can't Fike do the same?
You talk about SAFE having issues, yet your comments clearly reflect an opinion based on incorrect facts. This allegations against the SAFEwalkers are simply not true. People should learn the facts before placing judgement. Lastly, you may call up SAFE to get a free cab ride home, but my guess is that you haven't had the experience of feeling unsafe on your own campus, and you probably don't know what it feels like to feel helpless or unable to defend yourself. That's the role of SAFEwalk - make sure people have ways TO feel safe on and around campus.
julia price (May 4, 2008 @ 5:02pm):
As a mother of two co-eds, as well as an alum, I want to know what those of us who would like to support Safewalk can do to help. At this point, there is a killer on the loose in Madison. We all need to do what we can to keep everyone safe.
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