WCDB NEWS -- 2nd Safety Forum: Alumni Quad

The second of four safety forums just wrapped up in Alden Hall on Alumni Quad. There were less than twenty students in attendance.

One student called the lackluster turnout, "pathetic."

The forums are part of the university's response to the murder of UAlbany student Richard Bailey last Monday night. The first was held the evening after the shooting.

Vice President for Student Success Christine Bouchard led the conversation which included statements by UPD Director of Personal Safety & Off-Campus Affairs Tom Gebhardt, UPD Deputy Chief Paul Berger, and Albany Police Department Officer Rick Romand.

"We're all in this together," said Bouchard to the few students in the room.

One student, a Residential Assistant on Alumni, complained an exterior door leading into her hall had been broken all weekend. She said maintenance examined the door and claimed they could not fix it until Monday.

Bouchard, along with other staff called the situation, "unacceptable."

When a question about lighting arose, Senior Staff Associate of the Office of Space Management and Campus Preservation Errol Millington revealed the university is working on implementing a "lighting master plan" to illuminate some of the darker areas on each campus.

Millington is working with a lighting consultant and UPD to asses what areas are in dire need of increased lighting. Students were encouraged to report areas with poor lighting to UPD.

Student Association Senator Dustin Lanterman implored students to bring their safety concerns before their student representatives. SA Senate meets every Wednesday at 8 PM in the Campus Center Assembly Hall.

Bouchard expressed increased concern this week as Halloween is only four days away.
"How many people are going to be out in masks this weekend? It scares me."

APD Officer Romand assured increased patrols this weekend as the probability of heightened criminal activity increases with the holiday.

The second forum will be held tomorrow night at 8 PM in the Campus Center Assembly Hall on the uptown campus.