Minutes from April 12, 2007

Senators Present: Amy Laslett, John Wilson, Mike Myers, Andrew DeBlock, Konstantin Chaykovskiy, Matt Kuzio, Teddy Zou, Rozell Hodges, Alison Dempsey

Guests Present: Brittany Sanders, Max Read, Eliana Penzner, Laura Furney-Howe, Janelle Porter, Eric Kim, Rachael Morin, GuruBani Khalsa, Chelsey Brack (9).

Spencer Jemelka and Katie Orme opened the meeting at 12:10 PM. Katie and Spencer welcomed everyone to the official student forum.  The General Assembly is a place for students to bring up issues and policy change.  The General Assembly recognizes that the student body is one of many forums that form the community.  This is a forum for students to work with other students and administrators. Katie welcomed the Director of Campus Safety, Holly Nieto, and Joseph Cunje, the Campus Safety Lieutenant, to discuss the recent thefts on campus.

1. Campus Safety - Holly Nieto and Joseph Cunje

Holly Nieto said that she understood the GA meeting to be an open question and answer session, so she opened up the floor for questions.

Matt Kuzio asked who the undercover officer was and Holly answered that it depended on what time and what day it was, and that there were about four people tailing the suspect. There was a variety of officers and staff working as undercover officers – even Kenna Cottrill was involved. It was really a team effort, only in the end the suspect saw one person in uniform. Matt asked how easily the undercover officers blended-in in the residence halls, and Holly said that that is why they had a variety of people working undercover; it would have been suspicious-looking for the same 54-year-old woman to be standing in the Stearns lobby all the time.

 Janelle Porter asked about the PA system, saying that Campus Safety just drops people off at 2 AM and that’s it. Joseph said that the PA’s were supposed to call them after lock-up, and Janelle said that she thought there was an understanding that they were supposed to be picked up at 2 AM. Holly said that they were waiting for a phone call, and added that it is more helpful to know that there is a problem in a  more timely fashion than knowing a few days later. Whatever pilot program they’re launching, they have to know if they’re doing something wrong so there is no more confusion and they fix the problem. Joseph asked people to call when they’re ready to lock-up, and Janelle said that its harder for her to explain the feeling of being in the situation, it was almost like locking up and not to be seen again for the evening. Holly said she was sorry for the confusion. In general there are two officers working at a time, and they rely on people to call and tell them that they’re ready to lock up or that they’re doing it.

Brittany Sanders said that the other night she called for a Campus Safety escort from 1601 Campus Road to Delta House, and once the escort picked her up, she said she couldn’t drive her down Armadale Street because the street was too narrow, so she was dropped off on the corner of Campus Road and Armadale, which made her uncomfortable. Holly said she was glad that Brittany was nervous, because with the recent thefts, she should be nervous. Holly said that Campus Safety doesn’t want to have to leave students to walk down a deserted street and she was sorry about it, and said that they will make sure the dispatchers make it clear to the escorts of where the vans do and do not go.

Amy Laslett asked Holly to explain how they caught the suspect. Holly said that it was crazy, and it’s the moments that officers live for. She said that the students did their job very well. They got calls saying “this person is in the hall right now,” etc., which were very helpful – the “right now” calls. Officers were dispatched out, first went to Erdman, then to Chilcott, Haines, call came in saying they were in Stearns. Officers converged on the side of Stearns and closed in on the suspect. Brittany said she witnessed some of the events in Stearns. It was an exciting time for the campus because the campus felt victimized and justice was served. That many thefts on campus were way too many, and they want everyone to know that there is a court date tomorrow for her for her felony (4/13/07).

They are glad that everyone is aware of the dangers of propping doors, etc. Holly asked people to help her understand why people would leave their doors unlocked over spring break, because that is highly unsafe. She understands about building community and such, but it’s a bad idea to leave your room unlocked. Brittany said that she thinks one problem is that people our age have this sort of “invincibility syndrome” that can get us into a lot of trouble, it’s something that we need to try to rid ourselves of – we need to be aware that we have to be cautious. Holly asked what information they should get out to students, asked the students to think about that. Brittany said perhaps having a dialogue with students who have had things stolen, been victimized, witnessed recent burglaries, etc. Having people talking about what has happened to them, makes it more real to people who don’t know.

Mike Myers said a reason people leave their doors open sometimes is because one or more roommates lose their keys, and they don’t want to pay for new ones. Need to communicate to students that they need to have keys because it’s unsafe – maybe make buying new keys cheaper. Holly said that the new card-key system coming into place might help, and it is starting with going into Newcomb next year.

GuruBani Khalsa had a friend not lock her door over Spring Break and had things stolen, but she didn’t want to report it to Campus Safety. She thinks that the card-key system will help a lot – students will need them for food, to get into their dorms, etc. Holly said she thought it would take a little getting used to but it will help secure the campus.

Amy asked if the person who was stealing things was working alone, and Holly said that she was being helped by at least two other males who attend Pasadena Community College. Joseph said that the first theft occurred in the Library. The thief sat next to a student, and when the student was distracted, took her purse and left. This first theft happened in February. During Spring Break, the suspect and a male accomplice came to Bell-Young, were let in by a student, they got into the hall, walked down the hallway, and checked doors to see whatever door was open. The guy came back and stole several laptop computers, sometime around the thirteenth of March. The woman came back several times. She admitted to stealing gift cards, credit cards, and cash, saying that she wanted quick money, not electronics. She said that every time she went to a hall, she was let in by a student. She would tell students that she was looking for someone, and the students would look up on their laptops on Facebook, and that’s how she would rip them off. She made about $1000 in cash, sold all laptops for about $40 or $50. Holly emphasized that there is no way to get laptops back. Holly encouraged the students who had things stolen to consider them gone. The reality is that they got one iPod back because she liked it and hadn’t sold it, and other than that, everything was gone.

Amy asked what happened to them after Campus Safety detained them, and Joseph said that they are currently in jail, and are awaiting trials that are tomorrow (4/13/07). Joseph and Holly said they would update everyone once they know things. GuruBani asked if the thefts are part of a group case, but Joseph said that individuals filed reports so they are individuals. GuruBani said that campus safety filed a report for her and she called LAPD and they said they didn’t have her report. Joseph asked her name, and said that her report was definitely in the case file. Holly said that it is very important for students to take the time to make the reports.

Joseph said that the suspect said Oxy students were the nicest students and were the most willing to help her. Oxy students helped her and she said they made it really easy. She is wanted by Cal Tech PD, Pasadena Community College PD, and a few others.

Amy Laslett asked what she was like, Joseph said she had red hair, and described her as having spent lots of time on campus. Some days she would just hang out on campus, go to the bookstore, buy a book and bottled water. She  is about 5’6”, 110 lbs, and is 20 years old.  She has freckles and red hair. Not someone you would look at and say that she looks like a criminal.

Allison Dempsey said she met her, she even came into her room and Allison tried to help her find the “friend she was looking for.”

Holly thanked everyone for the good descriptions and help that they gave Campus Safety. Joseph said that at Pasadena Community College they had “Wanted” posters up and have been looking for her for quite some time. Katie Orme and Holly asked if there were any more questions, concerns, etc. Holly said that if Campus Safety is not meeting students’ standards, please talk to them and they can help make it right. This is how urban myths grow. Give Campus Safety the opportunity to make things right. They have good officers working, not people who always say “no.” Katie and Spencer thanked Holly and Joseph for coming.

2. Capital Improvement Request – Amy Laslett and Allison Dempsey

Projector for the big room       ~        $4,000

Installation Cost                ~                $3,500

Switch Board                     ~                $2,500

Installation Cost                 ~               $1,500

Large Electric Screen                 ~        $8000

        Installation Cost                ~        $3000

                                                            $22,500.00     

Additional cost may apply. ]

John Wilson asked how the audio is going to be hooked up, Amy said she doesn’t have any idea, but AV worked with Earic for the proposal so she is sure that they know, but it will definitely be taken care of.

3. Resolution – Rachael Morin, Senior 

We, the students of Occidental College, are appalled at the lack of dialogue between the Administration and the student body, particularly in regard to the changes in tradition, most recently, the cancellation of Senior Smack. We recognize the concerns surrounding the event, but feel that we were cheated out of an opportunity to provide insight in an issue that many students feel strongly about. This frustration is evident in the overwhelming number of students who felt compelled to sign their names to a petition circulated during the lunch hour from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm on Wednesday April 11, 2007.

We believe that this event will occur with or without school sponsorship, and should it be hosted off-campus, the safety issues that the Administration is concerned about are more likely to occur. The number of signatures that we were able to attain in just one hour is indicative of the interest that this issue has raised. Therefore, while we understand the Administration’s decision to cancel Senior Smack, we would like to request that the matter be revisited.

Respectfully,