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Examining campus safety and belonging

October 9, 2020

Dear FLC community,

The murder of George Floyd, along with violence against other BIPOC people, has given rise to serious conversations about the role of policing in our society. These conversations have surfaced the reality that for our students, faculty, and staff of color systemic racism is a threat to personal safety and well-being.

As you may know, FLC employs a Colorado POST-certified (Peace Officer Standards & Training) police department to assist in campus safety and security. As demands for racial justice emerged nationally this summer, questions surfaced from FLC students, staff, and faculty about the role of police on our own campus. Throughout the summer, Chief Deming, in collaboration with Dr. Lee Bitsóí and Julie Love, provided opportunities to hear these concerns directly. Key issues discussed included safety in terms of race, gender, and belonging on our campus. In addition, to these conversations ASFLC has raised questions about using the resources we allocate to police for other student services.

Over my time at Fort Lewis College, I’ve come to appreciate that we can ask and answer hard questions, deliberate in the true spirit of openness, and take action to improve our community. I’ve also come to appreciate that we take time to see nuance, multiple perspectives, and consider the common good. As critical thinkers, we work to remain open, even if we might disagree with what we initially hear.

It is in this spirit that I am commissioning a Campus Safety & Sense of Belonging Committee to formally examine and continue to receive your input regarding safety and security on campus. The committee will also examine how FLC Campus Police fulfills their commitment to serve and protect all members of our diverse FLC community. Coach Darrius Smith and Dean Jenni Trujillo will chair the committee. Additional members of the committee include:

  • One student representative selected from ASFLC
  • One student representative selected from the Residence Hall Association
  • One staff selected by Staff Council
  • One faculty selected by Faculty Senate
  • Brett Deming, Chief of Police
  • Dr. Lee Bitsóí, AVP of Diversity Affairs
  • Edgar Anaya Quiroga, Director of Housing
  • Dr. Paul DeBell, Assistant Professor of Political Science

With the important questions raised this summer about the role of police in society and our campus as their guide, I will first ask the committee to ground itself in the current work and services provided by our police department. The charge of the committee is to collect, analyze, and report on the role of police at Fort Lewis College to best answer those critical questions. In particular, we are interested in understanding:

  • What services are provided by the police and how does these services shape campus climate and safety?
  • How do the police play a part in campus emergency preparedness and what structures are needed going forward?
  • How does the FLC community view police on our campus, especially faculty, students, and staff of color? 
  • How do we balance the safety/security of campus with the concern raised about policing on our campus?
  • How can our police department play an active role in changing the culture of police training in our region?
  • What role should community oversight of our police department play in our approach?

Under the leadership of Dean Trujillo and Coach Smith, the committee will solicit input from our FLC community on these and related questions. After hearing from our campus, they will synthesize and analyze their findings and present them in a form of any findings or recommendations to me. I am asking the committee to have a final report to me by February 1, 2021.

I hope you will find time to share your thoughts and experiences with the committee and engage in this important discussion.

Best, Tom

 

Tom Stritikus
President
Fort Lewis College

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