March 31st will mark a new beginning for the Student Escort Service.

The escort service will be updated and will undergo changes such as providing escorts "from dusk 'til dawn" said David Stormer, assistant vice president of Environment and Safety Services, at a University Student Advisory Board meeting last night.

Contacting the service before midnight was previously required to receive a volunteer escort. The updated service will provide paid escorts available the entire night, Stormer said.

"I think the whole escort service is fantastic," said Panhellenic Council President Kelly Ayotte.

Many women are concerned about walking to residences after dark, Ayotte said. Contacting the service enables students to safely travel at night, she added.

The service is primarily a walking service, Stormer said, though mobile transportation is sometimes provided.

"We can probably handle most (students) with walking escorts," he said, adding that the mobile component may be utilized more in the future if economically feasible and walking is not practical.

An advisory board comprised of various student organization members will be developed in efforts to aid the service with policies and practices, Stormer said.

The service will be evaluated after a month to review the number of calls and the amount of time students wait for the escorts, Stormer said.

Concern about student awareness of the service was addressed by Undergraduate Student Government Vice President Amy Manderino. Students new to the University may be unaware of the service, she said.

Advertisements, fliers and a combined effort by student organizations to promote escort use will increase awareness, Stormer said.

About 65 trained escorts are anticipated to work in shifts throughout the night for students, he said, adding that "Students currently running the program will continue to do so."