Written by: Emma Boughman
The Student Senate and Student Association have been working on updating the lighting around campus, as promised. Dain Ochoa, senior physical therapist assistant major and SA executive vice president, oversees this project.
In messaging the Accent, Ochoa said that during his campaign last year, while putting up flyers, he realized how dark the campus was. The project’s goal is to install LED bulbs in all light posts on campus to increase safety.
Dennis Clifford, director of building systems, and Marty Hamilton, senior vice president for Financial Administration, have been helping Senate complete this project. In an email to the Accent, Hamilton explained that he oversees campus building operations, while Clifford oversees lighting and electricians for the installation process. All work has been done in-house so that they can stretch the allocated funds, according to Hamilton.
Hamilton said the project had been a goal for many years but couldn’t be funded properly. However in 2023, Senate voted to fund the project, which helped get it started.
Jared Chandler, senior finance major and SA president, toured the campus with Ochoa, Clifford and Hamilton on Oct. 26 and settled on key locations where new lights were needed. Installation officially began in January, according to Hamilton. He said the team’s goal is to have as many lights replaced as possible by May 31.
Hamilton explained that LED lighting is much more cost-effective compared to the previous lights. They also provide energy savings, better visibility and enhanced safety.
“To date we have spent $58,000 on lighting, and we will continue making this upgrade to get our campus all LED,” Hamilton said.
New lights have already been installed in Southern Village, the Upper Stateside Apartments, the Virginia Apartments, the Promenade, Taylor Circle and in front of Talge Hall and Thatcher Hall. Ochoa says he has seen the biggest improvement in Southern Village, where he lives. He also mentions how at night, the new lights show visitors an active campus and demonstrate the staff’s care for their students.
“I am genuinely excited to see all of these improvements that are evident right now. It’s a big change,” Hamilton said.
Ochoa mentioned that passing this project through the Senate proved a major challenge. He led the initiative himself, pitched it and oversaw everything. Waiting for the materials to arrive and getting the manpower to initiate progress was very difficult for him. Hamilton noted that another challenge is acquiring the new parking lot light fixtures. These lights take 10-12 weeks to arrive after an order is placed.
According to Ochoa, his favorite part of this project was realizing how much students can accomplish. He believes that most students don’t realize how many staff members are working in the background for them every day. He has enjoyed getting to know these people and seeing the changes that have been made.
Once all of the lights have been installed, Hamilton said they will continue their night audits so that more improvements can be made. They are still working on a lighting solution for the Hulsey Wellness Center and the walking track area. They also want to focus on improving the lighting along Colcord Drive between the Bietz Center and Summerour Hall, as well as in Student Park, Goliath Wall and all parking lot areas.
