Last week in Senate: Campus Safety concerns arise

By: Andrew Nowel and Jase May, Editor-in-Chief and Sports Editor

The United Students Association (USA) held its fourth meeting of the semester on Oct. 2. The meeting officially started at 2:32 p.m. with student concerns, a time used by several members of the senate to discuss a pressing matter that had been observed around campus, the conduct of Campus Safety. 

Sustainability Chair Lizzie Pike was the first to call attention to this matter with the start of student concerns. Sustainability Chair Pike reports that a Campus Safety officer has been parking in handicap spots for the past month. When Sustainability Chair Pike moved to take action by taking photos and videos, the officer became belligerent, screaming at her to delete the video. A report was made and a handicap license plate appeared on the car, which she is concerned may be fake. “As a student with disabilities, I would be very upset,” commented Sustainability Chair Pike.

This would not be the last report made in regards to Campus Safety as shortly after this report, Senator Gianna Fuentes raised her concerns that on Sep. 26, Campus Safety officers failed to answer the phones. Senator Fuentes also noted that officers have been reported sleeping at their designated work stations; this claim was seconded by Vice President of Business and Finance (VPBF) Dominic Vivolo.  Finally, Senator Fuentes reported that an unnamed student had asked members of Campus Safety what to do in case of emergency and was told to “not have an emergency.” 

All concerns were directed to Campus Safety Liaison Olivia Rhoat, who announced that she would be addressing all of these concerns with Randy Szukala, the Director of Campus Safety.

Before executive reports were made, the executive board moved to swear in Vice Speaker Zoe Schwartz. Akil began executive reports by reporting from her meetings with Canisius President Steve K. Stoute and Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Harold Fields in regards to the Evict ICE campaign. Akil informed the senate that the administration is receptive to student concern and reception to Evict ICE would be stronger had communication been stronger and student reception louder.  

Executive Vice President (EVP) Paige Apps, VPBF Vivolo and Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations (VPMPR) Briana DeGlopper all had little to report.

Cabinet reports went similarly with the only announcements coming from Diversity Chair Chris Tolliver, who reported about the first diversity meeting, and Public Health Chair Ethan Jaffri who announces that his committee will be tabling outside of the library for breast cancer awareness month.  

Liaison reports began with Campus Safety Liaison Rhoat recounting her discussion with Szukala in regards to the removal of students from study rooms. Rhoat reports that rooms are open until 9 p.m., so students should be good until then. Akil inquired as to why students are being removed from study rooms at all and this sparked a discussion across the senate floor, proposing the possibility of keeping rooms open as a resource for students.

Information Technology Services (ITS) Liaison Georgia Baier addressed the floor next, reporting that ITS would request all campus clubs with Mac computers to return them as the models are outdated and therefore a risk to campus safety with a higher hack risk.

Facilities Liaison Abby Joy followed up on an issue from last week, reporting that the sinks on the seventh floor of Dugan have been fixed while the washing machines still require a work order.

There was nothing of significance during structured discussion, and the meeting was adjourned at 3:40 p.m.