The Griffon News

In the next few weeks you are going to hear a lot of different things about what’s going on with our Department of Public Safety.

A 2005 assessment of our department and campus yielded one hundred plus recommendations which have been boiled down to a handful by our own LEMAP local task force.

They will present their findings and recommendations to our Board of Governors on Oct. 25, but would like to have the opinions of people campus beforehand.
 
The one recommendation students will hear the most about, arming the officers with more than pepper spray and batons, is a spicy issue.

We understand that this will be a contentious issue.    

We just hope you keep a few things in mind. Don’t judge the issues because you don’t like parking tickets; that’s a whole different situation. Don’t make judgments without hearing the entire presentation; it’s not just about arming the officers. There are some facts that will surprise you; this is not just a knee-jerk response to Virginia Tech. This  started before that tragedy, and no, the student interns are not among those to be armed. Come on! Think a bit about the entire situation!

There are some open meetings planned, which we hope each of you will find time to attend. Be informed about before you make a decision.

Meetings were held Monday for students and the Black Student Union.

On Tuesday Oct. 2 there is a 9:30 a.m. Open Staff/Administrator Forum in  Spratt 110, an Open Faculty Forum in Spratt 110 and a Student/Residence Council Forum in the Commons Building.

On Wednesday, Oct. 3 there is a 3:00 p.m. Open Staff/Administrator Forum in Spratt 110

On Thursday, Oct. 4 there is an Open Student Forum at noon in Eder 208 and an Open Faculty/Faculty Senate Forum at 4 p.m. in Blum 220.

Finally on Wednesday, Oct 10 there is a 1:30 p.m. Staff Association Meeting in Spratt 208