Union notes from Union / Management Meeting

Present – Prince Charles Alexander, Dennis Cecere, Peggy Codding, Peter Cokkinias, Marti Epstein, Rich Grudzinski, Danny Harrington, Margaret McAllister, Jeff Perry, Wendy Rolfe, David Scott, Jeri Sykes, Jackson Schultz, Will Silvio. 

Management – Jay Kennedy, Kari Juusela, Darla Hanley, Mac Hisey, Camille Colatosti, Captain Mark Louney, Andy Vores, Neal Donohoe, Eileen Alviti, John Graff,

1. Jay opened the meeting.

2. Public Safety – armed security presence proposal – Mac Hisey, Mark Louney. Mark has extensive experience in law enforcement, John Graff is council at Berklee and has extensive experience with Public Safety and both have done a great job re-vamping Public Safety with training, etc. and have elevated profile and credibility. Different environment – Berklee is one of only three schools that are not armed. Best practices say that campus security should be armed. The campus is now 23 buildings with BoCo. The security force – operates elevators, etc. and sworn Police Officers with 294 years of experience between them.

We discussed the topic at length. Pros: we should be prepared to stop a threat of violence – could be command presence, we can rise to the occasion. Cons: we do not want to be perceived as a military or intimidate.

The people that are being brought in as sworn officers have extensive screenings including psychological testing. We are talking about arming the police force only – not the average security guard. Currently 11 patrol officers – all with police experience – with the goal of 20 police officers on campus monitoring the entire campus 3 or 4 on campus at one time.

What is the current plan for an active shooter on campus? The faculty and the students need to be trained. Currently – Run, Hide, and Fight presentation – the college needs to make a presentation at BTOT or another venue soon.

3. New ID badges – BCB building access – Jan. 11