By Lucas Willard
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-1002815.mp3
Pittsfield, MA – The board voted 10-1 to provide campus police with firearms even though a majority of campus faculty and students were opposed to the notion.
MCLA President Mary Grant says the decision came after an appropriate time to discuss the issue with students and faculty, and will continue to work with them as the issue moves forward.
President Grant mentioned that a number of Massachusetts residence schools have taken up the issue of arming police. She also mentioned a study released after the shooting events at Virginia Tech that advocated towards arming campus public safety.
In December, the Student Government Association held a referendum vote on the issue. 455 of the 1,690 students on campus participated, with 68% opposing arming officers with firearms. Student Government Association President Todd Foy says he was surprised with the trustee's decision.
MCLA's Faculty Association conducted two polls on the issue in December. An email poll found that campus faculty overwhelmingly opposed the idea, with 87% of responders voting against arming campus police. In a separate poll, 93% of department heads opposed the idea. Faculty Association President Dana Rapp says the move by the Board of Trustees represents a breach of trust.
The only dissenting vote in the 10-1 decision was made by student Trustee Jaynelle Bellemore.
Students protested at the hearing Thursday evening with signs. Protests continued into the next day. SGA President Todd Foy says that the student body needs to express its discontent, but move on.
Currently, MCLA employs 9 campus police officers, 5 of which serve outside of the college. All are certified to use firearms. The college will spend over 24,000 dollars arming the officers, including all training, equipment and safety screenings. An additional annual fee will also apply.