We all have made the long, treacherous walk down to Valley Fields, down North 16th Street, across West Clybourn Street and over the Menomonee River. Valley Fields is the site of varsity soccer games and track meets, numerous club sports and countless intramural sports activities. However, no matter what the situation, LIMOs do not service students south of West Clybourn Street.

The site is an invaluable part of the university facilities. Its only downfall lies in its location. No one appreciates the walk. We all have a certain comfort level and feeling of security while on campus grounds. However, once we cross that line across West Clybourn Street, most of us our on guard.

Something about being on the side of the highway at night, overlooking empty industrial buildings and warehouses, is not very friendly.

Now in a group, walking down to the valley is not necessarily a scary event and is usually overlooked. Yet on numerous occasions I have found myself walking alone back to McCormick Hall after dark. I am not the only one; I have seen students of both sexes walking alone along the 16th Street Viaduct. Also you will pass non-students and very possibly homeless widows.

According to the Department of Public Safety's Web site, "Twelve LIMO vans provide free and safe transportation to students, faculty and staff to and from any point within our service area."

Public Safety also holds one of its "Five Imperatives" as "Safety and Security." I personally feel neither safe nor secure while walking alone to university activities at Valley Fields. Yet Public Safety says the Valley Fields are outside of its LIMO service area. This is a contradiction to me. If the university hosts events and activities at Valley Fields, they must be able to provide their students with safe transportation to and from the site.

I do realize that at the moment there is no easy drop-off point on 16th Street and that vans would be forced to drive down to West Bruce Street to turn around toward campus. This would cost money in gas and extending the LIMO service area would put a strain on the current number of vans.

Even if Public Safety is forced to buy a couple extra vans to service Valley Fields, I believe it is a wise investment. Student safety must be a primary concern for the university no matter the cost.

Wegrzyn is a freshman in the College of Communication.