The strengthened security enforcements were added as a result of “several reports of students being approached in a threatening manner by unknown individuals” before October Break.

To read Roellke and Marsala’s e-mail in full, click “Read the rest of this entry” below.

November 9, 2009

To the Vassar Community:

As we wrote earlier, prior to October break Vassar’s Office of Security received several reports of students being approached in a threatening manner by unknown individuals. Investigation of these incidents led to an arrest and the identification of others for questioning.

In the meantime, we wanted to let you know that several additional security measures have been taken. Vassar College Security has added walking patrols in the Quad, the North Lot/Pine Path areas and on the Townhouse Path.  The officers assigned to these posts all wear new reflective vests that clearly identify them as security officers. Our bicycle unit is also doing more patrols throughout the campus.

At our request, the Town of Poughkeepsie Police has added Vassar to both their vehicle and bicycle unit patrols.  We thank local law enforcement for all of their assistance in keeping our campus safe.

We’ve learned that many more students are requesting walking escorts at night from the student led Campus Patrol (845-437-7232).  Please continue to take advantage of this important service, as well as of the on-campus shuttle vans driven by Vassar security officers. Shuttle information can be found by dialing 845-437-6700 on campus, or by calling the college switchboard 845-437 7000 and saying “Shuttle” when prompted.

Finally, at the Office of Security’s request our Buildings and Grounds staff has been trimming overgrown foliage that blocked streetlights and walkway areas. B&G is also vigilant about replacing burned out bulbs that would be lighting the campus. Should you see an outdoor bulb that needs replacing, or identify additional safety related maintenance issues that need attention, please call the Campus Response Center non-emergency number (845 437 5221), or 9:00am-5:00pm call B&G at 845 437 5555.

We continue to encourage all community members to report any suspicious activity to the Campus Response Center  (845-437-7333/EMERGENCY and 845 437 5221/NON-EMERGENCY).

Sincerely,

Chris Roellke
Dean of the College

Don Marsala
Director, Vassar College Security

Christopher Roellke
Dean of the College
Professor of Education
Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY 12604
PH:  845-437-5600
Fax: 845-437-7640

7:03 p.m. | Mike Faba ‘10 and Sam Black ‘12, Captains of Vassar Emergency Medical Services (EMS), begin their presentation on EMS calls last night for the 2009 Halloween Party. According to Faba, there were 9 Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) on call last night. While last year there were 12 EMS calls—11 of which were alcohol-related—this year there were 16 calls, 15 of which were intox-related, one of which was medical-related. “There was an increase of seven or six calls and we sent five more people to the hospital than we did last year,” says Faba.

According to Faba, there were four additional calls that were attended to by ambulances and not by EMTs, as all technicians were occupied with other patients.

Faba continues: “Last night saw the most EMS calls in one night of the history of EMS record-keeping, which goes back 8 years…This does not necessarily reflect a huge change in student behavior. We don’t know whether or not the increase in calls corresponds to an increase in drinking or of awareness of EMS on campus,” says Faba, explaining that the more students who trust and know about EMS, the more calls they are likely to get.

7:15 | Faba also explains that more calls came in for members of the Class of 2011, a trend that has continued since the class began its first year at Vassar.

Following Faba and Black’s presentation, the President expresses concern that the alternative programming planned this year was not as effective as hoped and that “next year the administration may be pushing even harder to get rid of the Halloween event.”

7:17 | Academics: “I wonder if we can work to change the culture of Halloween on campus.I think that’s the larger issue. Alternative programming is great, but it’s not really getting at the root of the issue.”

7:25 | Organization Report from ACT OUT. “The event was a huge success—I’ve heard positive feedback from everyone involved,” says ACT OUT President Leslie Hamilton ‘10 of the Oct. 11 National Equality March, to which 102 Vassar students attended.

7:30 | Committee Report from Committee on College Life (CCL). According to CCL Representative Nate Silver ‘10, CLL will be working this year on revisions to the student conduct guidelines and looking into alternative parking options.

7:40 | Executive Report from Activities: In the upcoming weeks there will be a “number of organizations up for certification,” explained Activities.

7: 50 | Activities moves to fine the Vassar Ultimate Frisbee Team. According to Activities, between 30 and 35 people were observed with open containers of beer playing frisbee on Ballentine Field before October Break. Last week, those at a meeting with the VSA Activities Committee, representatives from the Judicial Board and members of the Frisbee team discussed how best to move forward with disciplinary action. After the meeting, it was decided that the Frisbee Team would be fined $3,000. Earlier in October, the VSA Council approved supplemental budgeting, which included a $3,000 bonus for the team that was meant to enable them to go on a Spring Break trip to a conference. According to Activities, “that money was allocated based on a display of responsible behavior, and we believe that this was antithetical to that.” The fine would remove the money allocated to the team for the conference but would not affect the money allocated to them for their 2009-10 operating budget.

Frisbee Team representatives present, however, contend that the fine would affect events between now and the spring conference.

8:30 | Town Houses moves to amend the fine amount to $1500. Finance speaks against the amendment, saying that the Team can still apply for Special Purpose Funds later in the year, especially if players exhibit responsible behavior. Activities also explained that there are no grounds on which to fine the team $1500 and that the $3000 amount was chosen on the basis of this year’s supplemental budgeting.

8:44 | The motion to reset the fine amount to $1500 fails 21 to three. The motion to fine the Frisbee Team $3000 passes  23 to one. Motion to censure the Frisbee Team passes unanimously.

So far this semseter Marsala has sent out several emails reporting three incidents of sexual assault and two incidents of physical assault. This is many more than in previous semesters, and Marsala commented to the Miscellany News that he doesn’t “ever remember having this many incidents” and that “to have them all at once like this is kind of strange.”

Patrols all around the campus will be stepped up and the Police Department has promised added patrols in and around the campus as well.” When asked to elborate further, Marsala explained that “campus patrol is on added alert” and that there are more people patrolling on foot and on bikes.

Student officers who patrol the grounds are “allowed to challenge anybody”, according to Masala. But, when they are faced with more serious situations their protocol is to contact security officers through their walkie-talkies.

One of the individuals involved in last night’s assault was arrested earlier today when he was stopped on the premise of driving a suspicious vehicle. He was taken into custody and, according to Masala’s email, “he is currently at the County Jail awaiting arraignment.” Masala expects that the other individuals will be apprehended shortly with help from the individual in custody.

Masala concluded his email cautioning students to remember “that we are living in a world that isn’t always safe” and to report “any suspicious activity” to the Campus Response Center (CRC).

Squillace warns that if anyone has had contact with the bird, which was treated with arsenic, they are advised to “seek medical attention through Health Services or your doctor.”

Though the bird is presumably valuable for its historic qualities, the e-mail, which was drafted by the Campus Security Office and sent by Dean of the College Chris Roellke, also emphasizes that the bird presents a danger because of the chemicals with which it was preserved.

According to the message, “The bird has been treated with arsenic and should only be handled by trained personnel equipped with proper personal protective equipment.”

Students report that the bird was seen at the Town Houses over the weekend. “This is not so much a theft issue as a safety issue at this point,” wrote Squillace. “No questions asked we just want to safely recover it.”

Kiwi birds are flightless, nocturnal, burrowing and native to New Zealand. Kiwis mate for life, and, out of all birds, they lay the largest eggs in relation to the size of their bodies. There are several species of kiwi birds in New Zealand. Most face threats from non-native predators, such as dogs, and habitation loss, leaving most kiwi species classified as either vulnerable or endangered.

The all-campus e-mail urged any member of the community to contact Campus Security at (845) 437-5221 with information regarding its whereabouts.