Night Owls employees “train students” to “help ensure the safety of those on campus at night,” according to University Police. But questions about the effectiveness of Night Owl training have been raised after a head-on collision between two of their golf carts on Jan. 31.

In the wake of this incident is an accident report, accepted by Associate Dean of Student Affairs Lisa Bardill, which is full of possible discrepancies and lacks any professional letterhead, date or signature.

In fact, when asked in late February who wrote the report, Bardill said, “That’s a good question,” although she “thought it was those involved.”David Quaint, co-director of the Night Owls, said at the Feb. 22 Senate meeting that no one involved in the collision was hurt and that University Police were on the scene but did not fill out a report.

The report-the author of which is still unknown-states, “All subjects involved in the accident said they were okay… [But] Alexia Hudson was complaining of a sore left knee and Tommy Townsend was complaining of a sore forehead after hitting the frame of the windshield.”

Furthermore, when questioned by Representative Andrew Dunkiel about what kind of training golf cart operators receive, Director Omar Prendergast explained they “do their own training” the first night of each semester. This, according to Prendergast, is when they learnhow to operate the carts andgo over “codes.”

Just which codes he is referring to, though, is unclear, but he has never heard of Environmental Health and Safety Policy and Procedure #14, which establishes “a policy for the safe use and operation of golf carts…on all FAU campuses.”

The policy covers “any who accepts the privilege of operating a golf cart…on University premises,” and outlines the responsibilities of “deans, directors, department heads and supervisors.” It also states that each cart driver is to receive prior training on how to operate the vehicle.

As for the accident report, which states that “The University Police Department was not called,” this too is in direct violation of Policy and Procedure #14.

The code clearly states that, “All accidents involving golf carts…shall be reported immediately…regardless of whether property or personal injury occurred….Police reports shall be filed as appropriate.”

And while Night Owls directors were called, University Police were not.

Representative Jared Stark, chair of the Agencies and Programs committee, expressed that “vehicle safety training must be done…if it isn’t, it falls under negligence.”

Stark says the training needs to be done because SG is ultimately held accountable if something happens. “We want to make sure students are safe. That’s our number one concern,” Stark says.

But Prendergast maintains that “Night Owls has changed [since previous directors].”

“We’re setting precedents and moving toward efficiency,” he says. “We’re far from done…we’re looking to do more.”

He describes the current difficulties as “growing pains,” saying, “We see the employees at their best, but if you do see anything-let us know.”

And while Representative Tony Arserio says he has not seen anything reckless, his fellow representatives like Dunkiel tell a different story. “Walking to my car, I’ve almost been hit several times-they drive recklessly.”

Prendergast says, “The word of the day is ‘perception.’ Eight miles per hour may look fast to another.”

As for their improper reporting procedures, Bardill attributes this to a “lack of communication and planning.” But she, like Prendergast, believes the Night Owls are “learning a lot” and, overall, heading in the right direction.

Changes Made; But Are They Enough?

Recently, Stark said in the April 12 House of Representatives meeting that Night Owls is now Environmental Health & Safety compliant.

But it does not mean they are doing any better.

Tuesday night, April 10, as junior communications major Josef Palermo left class, he tried to call the Night Owls for a ride to Coyote Jack’s.

“They said they don’t operate in the rain,” Palermo says. “But it was a light rain.”

Palermo says he walked by Night Owls’ office on the way to Coyote Jack’s, and Night Owl employees were “standing around with all the carts parked in the grass.”

“It pissed me off because they’re suppose to get people around, and they’re telling jokes on my A&S [activity and service] fees.”

Joe Adams, chief of staff for the governor’s cabinet, says he has “received words that it was because of phone problems,” and they told some they did not operate in the rain.

Adams agrees with Bardill, saying SG and Night Owls “need better communication.”

The repercussions of these incidents are yet to be seen. “We do our best,” Prendergast says. “But whoever is at the top is going to be blamed.”

Night Owl rides

The Night Owls student escort service is an SG agency which is designed to ensure the safety of students on campus at night by providing them with golf cart rides.

“No one should need to walk alone to class, parking lots or the residence areas at night,” according to FAU’s web site.

Typically, Night Owls operates from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m., although this varies depending on what day and semester.

Contact the Night Owls at 297-NOWL.