SafeWalk is hoping to avoid resorting to an additional student fee to pay for the program, said Ryan Darge, the organization’s program and finance manager.
“If all else fails, we are looking into a potential student fee of maybe one or two (dollars), but that would be the last resort,” Darge said.
Josh Aristy, finance committee chairman for UNC Student Government, said the $5,000 should last about a month, and they are still considering many different options.
“Really anything’s on the table,” he said.
Brittany Best, the student body treasurer, said she does not forsee any fee increases.
SafeWalk offers students the option to request trained walkers to escort them home on weeknights between 11:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. for free. Walkers are paid $8 per hour.
Darge said the organization is seeking money from elsewhere before looking at student fees.
“Right now, we’re also looking at other sources of funding in addition to the ones we’re used to getting,” Darge said. “So if one ends up failing for us, we’ll have another option.”