The Walk Home Cocky initiative launched Monday night at the Thomas Cooper Library, signaling the beginning of the safety-in-numbers walk program sponsored by Student Government.
Missy Torgerson, the executive director of Walk Home Cocky, said that developing the program was a process but she was excited that the launch day had finally arrived.
After snipping the ceremonial ribbon, Pastides and his wife, Patricia, signed the liability waiver and were the first to be walked home.
Volunteers follow predetermined routes when walking students home; these routes take into account street lighting and emergency call boxes. Additionally, volunteers carry radios that can reach the Walk Home Cocky coordinator on duty, as well as the USC Division of Law Enforcement and Safety and shuttles.
Students can be walked from the Thomas Cooper Library to on-campus housing and garages, excluding Greek Village and select parking lots. Torgerson said program expansion is in the works.