Tag: student government

Director of Public Safety Addresses Campus Concerns

BY LUCAS FERREIRA // Sept. 30, 2017 //

After last week’s SGA meeting left many lingering questions following the shooting of a Georgia Tech student, the Director of Public Safety clarified a few of them.

Interviewed last week following the recent killing of Scout Schultz and an assault in Hyde Park, Paul King, a 34-year law enforcement veteran, disclosed what steps Public Safety would take in the tragic event of a school shooting.

King mentioned in a conversation on Thursday that their first step would be immediately getting in touch with the Milton Police Department. After that, PS would lead and assist the evacuation of buildings, initiate lockdown procedures and send emergency notifications to all community members.

In addition to the protocol, should an intruder attempt to storm a classroom, Curry College has equipped both the Milton and Plymouth campuses with “No Entry Pouch” safety kits. These pouches are placed under the door in order to keep it lodged shut and intruders out.

Director King also expressed that PS is open and willing to hold a discussion with students regarding these issues and thoughts.

He confirmed that “Public Safety is always open to engaging with the community we serve, including students, faculty, and staff.”

King added that part of that service includes the recent addition of security cameras installed around campus as well as Public Safety’s relocation to 940 Brush Hill Road.

“I am a big believer in community policing, and I plan to engage with our community and work with them to solve problems that impact our community,” King stated.

Part of that engagement will include a partnership with students to get them hands-on training.

“In the future, Public Safety plans to explore providing student internship and other programming opportunities that increase engagement with our officers and the community,” King mentioned, signaling a want for a closer relationship with students and faculty on campus.

PS maintains a close, working relationship with multiple branches of law enforcement near the campus’ immediate surroundings including Massachusetts State Police.

An open forum with Public Safety officers and Director King could not only ease tensions concerning student safety on Curry’s campus, but it could also open the topic of discussion for other hot-topics circling around.

For instance, the recent Public Forum on Sept. 29 in Westhaver Park involving President Quigley and Curry students covered the recent bias-related incidents that have occurred on campus and attracted several local news outlets’ attention.

A meeting with Public Safety could also address concerns raised by the Sept. 20 Student Government Association (SGA) meeting, broaching the topic of Scout Schultz’ shooting at Georgia Tech on Sept. 17.

Paul King reminds students that while Curry College is a facility protected 24/7, vigilance and communication with Public Safety regarding strange or uncommon behavior should be reported immediately to Public Safety (617) 333-2222.

Georgia Tech Shooting Stirs Conversation in SGA

BY LUCAS FERREIRA //

Following the second meeting of Curry College’s Student Government Association, concerns regarding the safety of students have arisen in the wake of the recent Georgia Tech student who was shot and killed.

Scout Shultz’s death in Georgia, adding on top of the recent assault and robbery involving a group of Curry College students that occurred last Sunday, Sept. 17 in Hyde Park, has raised concerns regarding the safety of Curry College and its residents.

Specifically, Alexander Bauman, a junior-class representative, mentioned the recent shooting of Schultz as something that should be addressed with Public Safety in a future meeting.

Considering the implications in which Schultz was killed after a confrontation with Georgia Tech Campus Police, Bauman questioned what PS would do should a similar confrontation occur at Curry College.

When questioned whether he thought SGA should hold a meeting with Public Safety in order to contemplate these recent events, Bauman emphasized, “Yes, but I’m focusing mainly on the mental health aspect [of Schultz’ death].”

Bauman continued, “I knew [former] Chief Greeley, had a gun and I don’t know if any PS officer since then had a gun, or is allowed to have a gun,” he said. “I just want to know their protocols regarding mental illness in any situation like that.”

According to a recent article in The Washington Post, Scout Schultz was shot by Georgia Tech Campus Police Saturday night following multiple warnings from campus police to drop the knife. Despite it being unclear whether the knife was in Schultz’ hands after approaching one of the officers who repeated multiple verbal warnings, Schultz was shot one time through the heart and later passed away on Sunday.

Protesters reacted on Monday, Sept. 18 by marching to the campus police department; criticizing and rioting against the use of deadly force used by the officers.

Schultz is remembered for being an active President of Georgia Tech’s Pride Alliance, and for having a history of dealing with mental illness. According to the parents, Shultz identified as neither male nor female and had previously attempted suicide two years prior.

While the main discourse regarding the Georgia Tech shooting centers around the overuse of deadly force and campus police, concerns regarding the care of students coping with mental illness were brought up and voiced by several members of SGA.

Should SGA follow up with a meeting that includes Public Safety and the student body to address these issues? Does mental illness require more understanding on our campus to avoid what happened at Georgia Tech?

While Curry College has thankfully not been susceptible to a similar tragedy, there are still questions regarding how effective Public Safety would be if a similar calamity occur.

For now, Public Safety maintains the main safety outlet for the students and faculty on campus and has not been forced to address situations like these.

Student Body President Has Much to Accomplish Before His Term Ends

BY CHRISTIANNA CASALETTO // OCT. 3, 2016 //

Student Body President Cameron Hoyt is five weeks into his final semester in his position. However, he still has a lot he’d like to accomplish before he steps down.

Hoyt is a senior Psychology major and has been an active member of the Student Government Association for the last 3 ½ years.

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2016 Student Body President Cameron Hoyt // IMAGE CREDIT: CURRY COLLEGE

SGA’s purpose is to be the representative student voice and serve as the connection between students and faculty, staff, and administration. SGA tackles campus issues, plans events, and meets with senior staff to get students what they really want and need.

“Anything you want to change, that’s what we’re here for,” says Hoyt.

Some things Hoyt had a major role in implementing during his time as Student Body President include finally getting not one but two curry college geotags, and installing three new blue lights on campus.

“[Senior Class VP] Taylor Jones and I have really focused on how many blue lights we have on campus and how important they are to the safety of campus.”

Hoyt began his time on SGA his freshman year when he was elected as the freshman class Vice President.

“Right from there I knew I wanted to get more involved.”

He wasted no time and ran for the executive board the next year.

“I ran for the e-board and became the executive treasurer, then I ran and became executive vice president, and here I am as the student body president today.”

Hoyt received his position as Student Body President after Martin Heavy ’16 graduated a semester early last fall. Similarly, Hoyt will be graduating a semester early, meaning a new Student Body President will be elected before the spring semester begins.

Hoyt will offer the current Student Body Vice President, Zoe Staude his position. The assembly will then vote on that decision.

The other e-board members, Treasurer Nick Wheeler ‘17 and Secretary Paulina Adams ’19, will be offered the VP position and can either accept or decline (the assembly again has to vote and approve). If they both decline it will be the responsibility of the newly elected Student Body President to appoint a new VP.

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2016 Student Government Association Executive Board. (from left to right) Secretary Paulina Adams ’19, President Cameron Hoyt ’17, Vice President Zoe Staude ’16, and Treasurer Nick Wheeler ’17. // IMAGE CREDIT: CURRY COLLEGE

But before his time on SGA is over, Hoyt has some more things he’d like to see changed on campus. These include installing outdoor security cameras in light of thefts on campus, ensuring the Wi-Fi runs properly, and informing students about changes to the student activities fees.

“We’re working closely with the student activities fee because every year it has gone up and I don’t think students notice that even though it has gone up no more events have come to campus, nothing has changed, nothing has been added…so we are looking into that.”

Hoyt continues, “I just want to be able to walk around campus and hear that students are actually enjoying our changes…people have noticed the blue lights and I want to do that with the Wi-Fi and security cameras.”

But more than anything, Hoyt just wants his fellow students to enjoy their experience at Curry College and to take pride in being a Colonel.

“I like to hear students positive about Curry because I love it so much that I want others to feel the way that I do,” says Hoyt.

Hoyt has always been an active member in the Curry community. In addition to his 3 ½ years on SGA, Hoyt was the Orientation Coordinator for summer 2016, an Orientation leader for the 2014 & 2015 summers, Resident Assistant for the 2014-2015 & 2015-2016 academic years, maintains two on campus jobs, and performed as the Curry College mascot, the Colonel, last spring with the Cheerleading team in Daytona.

“There are some ups and downs but I want everyone to really love Curry as much as I do.”

SGA is an open forum, anyone can attend any meeting. Hoyt and SGA welcome students to come and see what they’re doing for the school. SGA meetings are every Wednesday from 2-4 p.m. in the Student Center large meeting room.

For questions or more information on SGA, please contact sga@curry.edu.