69¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ

Dear 69¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ community,

In the summer of 2023, the College engaged to conduct an assessment of our campus safety and security. This proactive measure allowed us to review our systems, structures and policies. During the spring 2024 semester, we identified key action items from the report’s recommendations that will be incorporated into 69¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ’s strategic plan over the next several years.

In the 2024–25 academic year, the College developed a Security Camera Acceptable Use Policy and began implementing a campuswide enhancement plan for the security camera program. In alignment with the policy and with location priorities identified by an external review, installation has focused on campus and building entrances and exits, parking lots, high traffic public venues (such as the Community Center) and the central corridor of campus. Additionally, a multi-constituency team — including staff from Human Resources, the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the Provost’s Office and the Division of Student Life — was identified and began working to strengthen the College’s threat assessment program. A working group was also charged to audit and solidify the College’s comprehensive training and education plans for all campus members.

We write today with updates about this work:

• A Threat Assessment Team has been established to review and assess reports of dangerous or threatening behaviors and to provide recommendations on next steps. This team is composed of representatives from key offices across the College who have or will receive in-depth training.
  • The Threat Assessment Team is responsible for: receiving and reviewing reports of internal and external individuals who are exhibiting dangerous or threatening behavior, assessing the potential threat, determining the level of risk, recommending appropriate strategies and interventions to mitigate risk, coordinating with relevant departments to implement interventions, monitoring the situation and adjusting interventions as necessary.
  • All members of the 69¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ community are encouraged to report behaviors that may indicate a potential for violence.
    • In cases of immediate danger, call 911 or contact Public Safety and Service directly. They are available 24/7 at 413-538-2304.
    • Anonymous reports can also be submitted through , which is available on the Public Safety and Service website.
• Security camera installation continued during summer 2025 in alignment with the parameters shared above and will finish this academic year. All residential building occupants have been communicated to that all residence hall entrances and exits will have security cameras installed in them – and that work is now predominantly complete. It is important to reiterate that there is no plan to install permanent security cameras in common room spaces in residence halls, temporary security cameras may be installed if deemed necessary during an investigation, though this is highly unlikely.
• The Training Action Group is finalizing their recommendations. In the interim, efforts are underway to embed training into ongoing College offerings, such as adding ALICE threat assessment and safety training into onboarding for new employees and enhancing offerings of Mental Health First Aid. Additionally, our Public Safety and Service sworn officers and staff undergo a robust series of training annually, which include: Civil Rights and Title lX; Pronouns 101: Beyond the Gender Binary; fair and impartial policing; and trauma-informed training.

If you have any questions or feedback as we continue to share updates and engage in this work, please do not hesitate to reach out to us via email.

Warmly,

Marcella Runell, Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students
Lisa Sullivan, Provost and Dean of Faculty
Carl Ries, Vice President for Finance and Administration
Alex Wirth-Cauchon, Chief Information Officer