I am writing in response to the letter titled “Hike Unneeded” by Greg Webster and Jay Gehlhausen on Nov. 28 concerning their complaint of an article in the Nov. 21 issue of The Northern Star. This article stated that “NIU’s Late Night Ride Service might expand to every weeknight early next (fall) semester.”

I agree that students, including myself, are not in favor of a tuition increase, but in this case, a tuition increase is needed. The article stated that the service averages 75 riders per weekend. This number might seem minute, but it is 75 people that are helped. Because this service helps a small percentage of the campus, does that make it worthless? In this case of safety, one should focus on the quality of the service, rather than the quantity.

The idea of expanding the service is beneficial because students go out weeknights, as well as weekends. On a weeknight, one might take a trip to the library, which might not seem like the ideal way to spend an evening, or one might go for a drink at a DeKalb bar. These examples might seem harmless, but when it is time to go home at 2 a.m., it might be a problem.

The NIU Late Night Ride Service can help prevent the risks of drunk driving after that night at the bars or prevent the risk of sexual assault on the walk home after that night at the library.

Personally, I would rather see my money going to the NIU Late Night Service rather than going to “beautify” the HSC tower, for instance.

Gina Reeves

Junior

Communications and French