This spring, the students of Mississippi State University have an opportunity to participate in a new venture that will change the face of MSU and the Starkville community.
The Student Association will unveil a free evening transportation system. It hopes to raise enough funding to start the new shuttle route by Jan. 29. It will comprise two routes: one will run down U.S. Highway 12 and the other through downtown Starkville.
The Thursday through Saturday night routes will provide a much needed service to the MSU student community as they provide free, safe transportation to highly trafficked evening areas in Starkville.
It is imperative that every student at Mississippi State support the night route. It is a tangible example of the SA and the university administration addressing student needs.
Foremost, the route adds convenience to evening activities. Without having to worry about driving a car from place to place downtown, we will be able to go to dinner, listen to live music, get some coffee, stop by Wal-Mart, rent a movie and return home.
Equally important, the evening transportation system addresses the safety concerns of students without other means of transportation at night by providing a safe, fast alternative form of transportation. It will run Thursday from 7-12 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 8 p.m.-1 a.m. And it’s free!
Delivering on campaign promises, the SA has been working since May on student transportation concerns. Students have demanded improved and expanded routes for nearly a decade. The current executive branch appointed a new cabinet director to address transportation and parking, Clay Stamson.
SA President Josh Blades and Stamson have made an off-campus transportation system a major priority throughout their terms. The night route is just the first step in a larger goal shared by both university leadership and community members.
The long-term vision, currently being studied by the Carl Smalltown Center and the city of Starkville, is a public city and campus-wide shuttle system that will serve students, citizens and visitors to Starkville during the daytime and evening hours.
In addition to increased public services, the transit system should also alleviate many traffic concerns on campus and in Starkville.
Budget restraints, the maintenance of a brief shuttle ride time and university liability have restricted the stops at off-campus apartment complexes. Though the night route will not include every apartment complex in Starkville, there are several shuttle stops along University Drive.
The leadership of Jimmy Abraham, interim vice president of student affairs, Melvin Ray, special assistant to the president, and Steve Langston, president of the Downtown Business Association, was integral to the success of this off-campus shuttle system.
When the university and community agreed to construct a nighttime shuttle route, they placed a premium on student concerns. The student body should show its gratitude by utilizing the night route; participation is essential for progress.
Implementing a larger off-campus system will only follow if the night route is a success. If the anticipated success of the night route merits expansion, we will make sure that expansion occurs.
To ensure community support for future student concerns, we must take advantage of the opportunity the community and university administration has given us.
The SA is working hard as an advocate of student wants, needs and concerns, and we want to deliver results. To get results, though, we need action from you.
Get excited about this new venture! Tell your friends. Hang up your keys. Get ready for a new way to get around Starkville at night.
Kate McIntosh is a senior communication major. She can be reached at [email protected].