I’ve walked in the dark to my car multiple times on campus.

On Saturday, I went with a few friends to the tailgate before the men’s basketball team played. But I couldn’t find the tailgate because none of the security lights were on in Lot C – the parking lot closest to the Physical Activities Center and the UC East.

During the tailgate in the parking lot, people cooked hotdogs with a gas grill and no lights besides their small cell phones. So if some crazy driver didn’t look close enough, he/she could have run into the grill, and everything would have gone BOOM.

After at least three or four phone calls to public safety, the lights switched back on. One of the public safety personnel said the lights had to be turned off and then on again and also mentioned the construction could have caused the lights to go off.

The security light outings have gone on all semester, but with the recent time change, it’s finally pushed me to the edge.

I don’t care about whose fault it is – the security lights being off in one of the main lots is a problem.

First, I’m forgetful and can never find my car, so I’m wandering around like a fool. I’ll take partial blame on that, though.

Second, walking alone in the dark makes me nervous. In the best worst case scenario, someone hides behind a car and jumps at me and screams “boo.” I would probably still pee my pants.

Third, I have a car and don’t have near as far as walk as students in the apartments do. That parking lot is a key walking area for students throughout the week.

I do not know if the switch was off, if construction hit a breaker, if the university is trying to save money… 

But I suggest that public safety should make sure those security lights stay on during the nights – especially since night comes at 4:30 p.m. now.

I also challenge students to call public safety if the lights aren’t lit. Thinking back on Saturday, I wish I would have. What if someone had gotten hurt or in trouble in that parking lot? I’d rather not have that on my conscience.