Updates on the Future of Campus Safety at Smith

Monday, September 16, 2019

Dear students, staff and faculty: 

Earlier this summer, I announced a year-long, community-focused process to re-envision the leadership and structure of campus safety at Smith College. I write to you now to share several important updates on that process.

In August, President McCartney formed an Ad Hoc Campus Safety Advisory Group (CSAG) to shape and guide the creation of a new public safety model at Smith. The 13-member group, which I chair, comprises students, staff and faculty members appointed by the president and the Student Government Association in consultation with the dean of students.

Along with the formation of the CSAG, the college has engaged the firm of D. Stafford & Associates to conduct an organizational assessment and advise Smith on how to design and implement a public safety model by July 1, 2020 that meets the needs of the Smith community. As part of our work with D. Stafford & Associates, we have welcomed one of their team members, Debra Duncan, to serve both as the lead consultant on campus and as the interim campus safety director.  

A guiding principle of CSAG’s work  is a commitment to an inclusive process. To that end, we have begun scheduling a series of meetings at which members of the campus community can share their thoughts on the future of campus safety at Smith. We will hold open forums in the Campus Center Carroll Room from 4 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, October 8; from 7 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, October 9; and from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. on Thursday, October 10. More than a dozen meetings are also being scheduled with student and employee governance and affinity groups to ensure that every member of our community has a voice in this process. 

Additionally, we invite any member of the Smith community to provide feedback throughout the year in one of two ways: by emailing campuspolicingvision@smith.edu or by submitting anonymous feedback through the CSAG website. Throughout the semester, we will collect and reflect back the community’s feedback, sharing updates on our work through the CSAG website and further public events. 

In closing, I want to emphasize three points. First: we need and are actively seeking your feedback to make this a successful project. Second: throughout the year, we will continue to be served by our existing campus police department. Third: our work will be driven by the knowledge that no member of our community can succeed without feeling—and being—safe on campus. 

David DeSwert
Interim Vice President for Finance and Administration
Chair, Ad Hoc Campus Safety Advisory Group