2008 Woodie Awards
SGA talks about threat
Ed Komenda
Issue date: 4/2/08 Section: News
Safety was the main topic at the Student Government Association meeting Tuesday night, as they spoke of the response to the shooting threat last Wednesday.
"I think the system worked great, but teachers didn't know what to do," said SGA Senator-at-Large Cassie Brimmer.
SGA members were most concerned about the option given to teachers to hold class or not. According SGA Vice President Joe Lanane, that was the last thing on most students' minds.
"People were concerned and didn't feel like taking their chances," Lanane said, adding that students were not to be punished for absences.
Students were given the option to attend class, although many faculty members decided to carry on with their normal schedules as recommended by the university.
"I know that faculty really felt like they were the bad guys," Lanane said. "Their personal vendetta was toward the university, not their students, and that decision probably got to a few people."
According to SGA president Sam Pfister, a survey will be conducted concerning how students felt the day of the threat. He added that the input would be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the emergency system.
Pfister also spoke of a "ride-along" he took part in with the Macomb Police Department with the hopes of maintaining a heightened level of safety.
"I basically drove around campus looking for where the parties were at to make sure everything was going good and that everyone was safe," Pfister said. "Students were really perceptive about it, and some people were cheering when they seen us; they were saying that we were doing the right thing."
In other business, one student brought up a problem he encountered with the new smoking policy that was implemented in January.
"I got yelled at the other day when I was clearly 15-feet away from the door," the student said. "I called OPS, and they had no idea about any policies; they said I knew more than they did."
According to Orterio Villa, SGA senator, the policy changes depending on the entrance involved. He added that smoking designated areas require a distance of 15 feet, while entrances without a designated area require at least 50 feet.
The SGA plans to look into a solution concerning the designated smoking areas.
Associate Vice President for Student Services Earl Bracey shared his thoughts on the meeting, pointing out that the issues discussed showed the SGA sense of urgency.
"I really appreciate the conversations you guys have been having, especially concerning the emergency system and the smoking, because those are critical issues," Bracey said.
"I think the system worked great, but teachers didn't know what to do," said SGA Senator-at-Large Cassie Brimmer.
SGA members were most concerned about the option given to teachers to hold class or not. According SGA Vice President Joe Lanane, that was the last thing on most students' minds.
"People were concerned and didn't feel like taking their chances," Lanane said, adding that students were not to be punished for absences.
Students were given the option to attend class, although many faculty members decided to carry on with their normal schedules as recommended by the university.
"I know that faculty really felt like they were the bad guys," Lanane said. "Their personal vendetta was toward the university, not their students, and that decision probably got to a few people."
According to SGA president Sam Pfister, a survey will be conducted concerning how students felt the day of the threat. He added that the input would be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the emergency system.
Pfister also spoke of a "ride-along" he took part in with the Macomb Police Department with the hopes of maintaining a heightened level of safety.
"I basically drove around campus looking for where the parties were at to make sure everything was going good and that everyone was safe," Pfister said. "Students were really perceptive about it, and some people were cheering when they seen us; they were saying that we were doing the right thing."
In other business, one student brought up a problem he encountered with the new smoking policy that was implemented in January.
"I got yelled at the other day when I was clearly 15-feet away from the door," the student said. "I called OPS, and they had no idea about any policies; they said I knew more than they did."
According to Orterio Villa, SGA senator, the policy changes depending on the entrance involved. He added that smoking designated areas require a distance of 15 feet, while entrances without a designated area require at least 50 feet.
The SGA plans to look into a solution concerning the designated smoking areas.
Associate Vice President for Student Services Earl Bracey shared his thoughts on the meeting, pointing out that the issues discussed showed the SGA sense of urgency.
"I really appreciate the conversations you guys have been having, especially concerning the emergency system and the smoking, because those are critical issues," Bracey said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Matthew Meyer
Matthew Meyer
posted 4/02/08 @ 11:05 AM CST
I think that the University did the right thing. Student concerned? Huh that laughable. All I saw on that day was students standing outside and drinking beer playing bag-o. (Continued…)
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