Bok Refers Security Measures To Panel for Further Study

President Bok decided Friday that he would not take immediate action to improve campus security in the aftermath of a recent rape, but would instead refer student suggestions to a "standing committee" which is now being formed.

Bok and Daniel Steiner '54, general counsel to the University, told Radcliffe Union of Students (RUS) representatives at a meeting Friday that they could not act immediately to improve lighting, cut shrubs or extend shuttle bus service hours.

"These changes would require an expenditure of funds; it's not something you can just rush into," Bok said yesterday.

RUS president Alison Dundes '81 said yesterday she was "afraid we may be getting into a bureaucratic snarl."

"The administration is just now inviting people to serve on this committee," Dundes said, adding, "When students took over University Hall, the administration acted without waiting for some committee to meet."

Bok agreed to take steps to insure that shuttle buses run more regularly and to demand a "better attitude" from the student escort service. "Escort service employees sometimes make students feel uncomfortable about requesting a ride," Dundes said.

Safety First

She added that Steiner, who could not be reached for comment yesterday promised to consider renting or purchasing a second escort car.

Bok told the women that it might take a considerable time for the University to implement one of the students' prime suggestions--lighting the Cambridge Common--because the common is city-owned property.

Natasha Pearl '82, an RUS representative from Currier House, said yesterday Bok told the students, "It took us five years to get Cambridge to agree to put lights on Weeks Bridge."

President Horner said yesterday she advises students to avoid the Common entirely by walking along Garden St.

Since the rape of a sophomore in front of Hilles Library two weeks ago, the University has hired a second patrolman for the Quad. The first patrolman began working one week after the incident.

Circulation

RUS members proposed that the University create a specially lit path to the Quad and also build enclosures where students can wait for a circulating escort car that would supplement the door-to-door service already offered.

The standing committee on security will consider those proposals when it meets for the first time.

But Elisabeth M. Einaudi '83, co-chairman of Students Organized for Security and one of the two student representatives on the committee, said that although she had received "many assurances" that a meeting would be set up, she has heard "absolutely nothing."

Thomas A. Dingman '67, chairman of the standing committee, could not be reached for comment yesterday