by Katie Stallcup
Daily Lobo
Bright lights are not necessarily making campus safer.
"We've actually made the campus way too bright in some areas," said Gil Berry, head landscape architect at UNM. "The brighter the light, the darker the shadow. You can have it so bright on the paving that you can't see anything off the paving, in the bushes and that sort of thing."
A new $15 million lighting plan for UNM's campus will soon be completed.
He said the plan is to eliminate the glare and the "hot spots" caused by lights that are too low to the ground. The new plan includes lights on higher poles, which will result in a softer, less glaring glow.
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"We've hired a consultant, one of the best consultants in the world, to come and help us try and figure out what we're doing on the campus," Berry said. "Unfortunately, we're doing a lot more bad than good right now."
He said the plan is still in the development stages and will be a complete overhaul when finished.
"In a lot of cases, what we've done on the campus has been really counterproductive," Berry said.
He said the University is focused on safety and security.
"I think it's too dark and not safe enough," said Alyssa Christy, a UNM freshman.
UNM student Luca Taylor said he has no problem feeling safe on campus, but it is not a good idea for any girl to walk around alone at night on campus.
"It's better in some places than others," said Stephanie Martin, a UNM senior. "I stick to the main thoroughfare."
The new lights will have bulbs that burn two to three times longer than the existing lamps on campus. With bulbs replaced less often, the new plan would not only be safer, but also more cost-effective, Berry said.
Berry said there are several ways to get the estimated $15 million needed for the project. He said $100,000 will be needed each year to make a significant impact. Possible funding for the project could come from the state Legislature or from University bonds.
Aesthetics could be another benefit of the plan.
"This Pueblo-revival architecture is only on our campus. No one else really has it, and it really lights dramatically," Berry said. "When you shine (a light) up the face of a buttressed wall, and you see the vigas sticking out, you get these wonderful shadow patterns."
Berry said the consultant should be finished drawing out the master plan by the end of May, but it will be a while before any changes will be made on campus.
The new lighting could take up to 10 years to complete due to finances, Berry said.
"The plan is that we take the most critical places where the biggest need is, and we will start trying to address those places first."
