Every year, a dedicated group embarks on two walks around our major campuses — not to attend classes, but to help UNLV maintain a safe and secure environment for everyone. 

The annual Lighting & Safety Walk is a longstanding initiative that brings together representatives from Risk Management & Safety, Facilities Management, Planning & Construction, Parking & Transportation Services, Faculty Senate, Police Services, and the student population. 

After years of involvement in the annual walk, Michael Lawrence, associate vice president of administrative services in Business Affairs, reflected on the unique sense of unity the event builds within the campus community.

“I look forward to these walks each year because they bring together so many different parts of our campus,” Lawrence said. “It’s a great opportunity for us to connect, collaborate, and take a collective approach to enhancing our campus. The energy and commitment from everyone involved are truly inspiring, and it reminds me of the strong sense of community here at UNLV.” 

Arnold Vasquez, interim director, University Police Services, Southern Command, added, “Participating in the walk is more than just a routine check; it’s a critical part of our commitment to supporting the well-being of every member of the UNLV community. By addressing safety concerns proactively, we’re creating an environment where students, faculty, and staff can thrive.”

Purpose and Process

Each spring on the Maryland campus and every fall on the Shadow Lane campus, participants like John Terry, a residential life coordinator, walk across the entire site to assess lighting conditions. This involves checking that pathways have bright and sufficient illumination from lights and making sure that the feedback from the previous lighting survey is understood and addressed. The goal is to maintain a campus that is well-lit, and accessible, particularly during evening hours. 

“Lighting isn’t just about visibility; it’s about creating an environment where students and staff can move around confidently, no matter the time of the day,” said Terry. “As someone who interacts with students daily, I know how crucial it is to address lighting issues. By doing so, we’re actively contributing to a campus atmosphere that fosters peace of mind and a sense of security.”

After the walks, the groups review their concerns and make plans to tackle any issues. These plans often include installing additional lighting, upgrading existing fixtures, and updating the university’s preventative maintenance schedules.

For instance, UNLV Facilities Management electricians may assess an area for group relamping, a preventative maintenance strategy where all lamps are replaced on a scheduled basis. This approach is determined by the run-time hours of the light fixtures, instead of on a piecemeal basis. By regularly updating the schedules with information from the walk, the university proactively addresses lighting issues, enhancing safety and preventing disruptions before they occur. 

2023 Report and Improvements

The 2023 Shadow Lane campus walk identified 17 issues, of which 15 have been addressed. The two remaining issues fall outside of UNLV property and are pending repairs. 

Last year’s Maryland campus walk noted 90 issues and 68 have been resolved. The remaining concerns are being addressed through the Purchasing and Contracts' lighting enhancement project, now underway and being managed by Planning & Construction senior project manager Matt Ivie. It includes the installation of additional light poles and wall-mounted lighting.

• Upper Class Complex (MFH/RHC/RHB/HUH) and Tonopah Residence Hall: These areas were the focus of significant improvements over the summer and are in their final stages of completion.
• Paul McDermott Physical Education and Athletics: Excavation in this area is wrapping up and concrete will be poured this week. New light poles and wall mounted lights will be operational mid-September.
• Marjorie Barrick Museum and Xeriscape Garden: Enhancing lighting in this area will increase security for visitors and staff during evening events. Excavation will be carefully coordinated in this area and will begin the first week of September. These improvements are slated for completion in October.

The second phase of construction will address lighting issues at Harmon West Entrance at University Center Drive; Beam Music Center's north paths and along Maryland Parkway;  Rec & Wellness Center north sidewalk/access road; and the West Mall termination at McDermott Physical Education building.

During construction, there will be temporary disruptions including panel shutdowns. The work will be communicated in advance to minimize any inconvenience. 

The 2024 Maryland campus walk has already been completed, with results to be released soon. Meanwhile, the 2024 Shadow Lane campus walk is set to take place this fall. 

Reporting Lighting Issues

The Facilities Management teams and their partners encourage you to report any unlit areas promptly. You can submit a service request through your campus’ Facilities Management system or by selecting the "Maintenance Request" icon on the RebelSafe mobile app.