Minutes November 4, 2022

MINUTES OF ST. LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY SAFETY COMMITTEE HELD VIA ZOOM

ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2022 STARTING AT 8:00 AM.

 Chairperson:    Patrick Gagnon, Co-Chair

 Present:   Nick Ormasen, Co-Chair, Susan Johnson, Secretary, Mary Charleston, Dean Manley, Kasarian Dane, Sharmela Garcia-Martin, Traci Grainger, Jim Kozsan, Chidera Nwenyi, Stacie Olney-LaPierre, Jill Pflugheber, Marsha Sawyer, Suna Stone, Tara Tent and Ethan Townsend

Apologies:   Bob Hance, Tim Kinch, Steve Richards, Bill Ritchie, Marcus Sherburne and Stacy Vassar

Open comments, introductions and guests 

Approval of the Minutes Traci (motion) and Nick (second)

New Business:

  1. Concern about unleashed dogs on campus: “Sometimes dogs are on campus from the community that don’t have a leash how is this monitored?” 

Nick Ormasen has contacted University Communications to discuss options and they will work on some signage particularly at the trails, which are a problematic location. Sharmela Garcia-Martin questioned signage for the bookstore and/or the student center and Traci Grainger suggested PSA’s on local radio stations. Signage will be placed on the entry door of the bookstore. Sharmela Garcia-Martin voiced concern over the increase of dogs that come to campus for Parents’ Weekend and Commencement. It was mentioned that Nick Ormasen discussed the topic with Joe Keniston and University Advancement will be including information in Laurentian events registration packets and officers continue to monitor and remind people to leash their dogs if found off leash. It was decided that a FacStaff email reminding the campus community would be a good solution. CLOSED.

  1. NYS Fire Fall Inspection Update: The first round of inspections were completed on 11/3/2022. Round two of State Fire inspections will begin the week of December 12th and last three to four days.
  1. A request to put an additional crosswalk before the one from the parking lot to Admissions was discussed. There are already nine crosswalks from University Avenue to the light on Park Street. Jim mentioned that when the University added the crosswalk in front of the Health Center the village requested one be taken out. It was suggested that the faculty member park in E lot and cross there since academic building is directly across from the lot. Pat Gagnon will follow up with her.  CLOSED.
  1. Golf Cart issue: Usage of Golf Carts with no lights at night and what is the current policy for Golf carts to cross Park Street? - S. Richards. Nick Ormasen has sent the golf cart policy to managers of those departments that utilize golf carts, a map of the crossings is in the policy as well. The policy is available on the EH&S website. CLOSED.
  1. Kasarian Dane asked if we were considering a shelter-in-place drill any time soon. Pat Gagnon said that he obtained senior staff and faculty council approval recently. They would like it done with a mixture of students in class and at change of class time, which would primarily be Monday/Wednesday or Friday around 9:00 a.m. for both scenarios. He would like to run them annually during the Fall semester with an advance announcement via email asking if there are any concerns to address prior to the drill. Under Clery, this can be considered a campus wide drill to exercise emergency plans and communications. Our Alertus grant allows us to install beacons and marquees. Sharmela Garcia-Martin is concerned with their 37 study/exam rooms being vulnerable; Pat Gagnon offered to go and discuss alternatives and to identify issues before the drill so there is a plan in place as he has done in the Student Center with past drills.  
  1. Stacie Olney-LaPierre brought up that she has had students raise concerns of mold in their rooms. As soon as reports are received they are passed on to Facilities who have been extremely responsive and Suna for testing. Staff also remind students that adjusting to a new environment, in addition to living communally and making changes to hygiene routines, can cause them to feel sick or differently. It was stressed that student concerns will be addressed promptly. CLOSED.
  1. Sharmela Garcia-Martin asked if there was a place for the emotional support animals to run unleashed but no one knew of anywhere.

Tabled:

Closed:  Meeting closed at 8:48 a.m.

Future Meetings:

The next Meeting will be December 2, 2022 @ 8:00-9:00 a.m.: Future meetings: 2/3/2023, 3/3/2023, 4/7/2023 and 5/5/2023. Meeting location to be determined.