Editor’s Note: This is part of a weekly series about the people and responsibilities behind Iowa State’s Government of the Student Body.

The Government of the Student Body director of safety, traffic and transportation says safety is a relevant issue to students, but students underestimate the importance of his position.

“I don’t think a lot of students even know about the position,” said Andrew Hamilton, senior in psychology. “I didn’t even know about the position until I applied for it.”

He said parking issues and traffic concerns directly affect students.

This is Hamilton’s second year as director. He served under former GSB President Ben Golding from 2000 to 2001. During his first year he helped make CyRide fares free for students, which was implemented this year.

Hamilton said he is responsible for making sure GSB works to provide a safer environment for students and to give insight into GSB about traffic concerns.

As director, he sits on several committees, including an ISU sexual assault task force, the Substance Abuse and Violence Prevention Committee and the Transportation Advisory Committee.

“Through my position on the Transportation Advisory Committee, I was able to help with the building of three new parking garages on campus. There will be a new one-level garage by Forker, which should be done by the summer,” Hamilton said. “I also bring up parking concerns at committee meetings. For example, now we’re taking about raising parking fees.”

He said even though parking fees might be raised, Iowa State is No. 11 out of the Big 12 in the cost of parking fees.

Hamilton also said his involvement in committees has led to the origin of some initiatives GSB has seen this year.

“For example, the decision to buy a colposcope for the Mary Greeley Medical Center and to retrofit the colposcope at the Student Health Center originated from the sexual assault task force I sit on,” he said.

He said that was his biggest accomplishment this year.

“I think the colposcope was a great thing, because it will definitely help a lot of people, both students and those in the Ames community. The Student Health Center said it has used it in more ways than initially expected,” Hamilton said.

Among other initiatives Hamilton has helped with or created include helping the university build its fleet of vehicles by initiating legislation for GSB to buy two new Chevy Suburbans to replace its 15-passenger vans, which have been deemed unsafe. Hamilton said the decision was made after a student rolled one of the vans two and a half years ago.

He also said the state had issued a warning for universities to use the vans. GSB passed a bill to buy the two Suburbans at its last meeting.

Capt. Doug Houghton, program manager for the Department of Public Safety, said he believes Hamilton has done a great job this year as director.

“I think he’s done a real good job to represent GSB and students and to represent the students’ perspectives and concerns in a variety of forums,” Houghton said. “He’s made sure students don’t get left behind when talking about safety and traffic concerns.”