Q&A Series: Increased Parking Spaces, Off-Campus Parties Addressed at Student Conduct Session
The Office of Student Conduct and the Department of Safety and Security provided an extensive overview of their role in reinforcing new policies on the Marist campus as it reopens for the fall semester.
Matthew McMahon, the director of student conduct and John Blaisdell, the director of safety and security, answered a slew of questions in the live Q&A series hosted by Student Affairs. A live follow-up session on student conduct and safety and security will commence July 31 at 4 p.m. EST.
Immediately, questions and requests for clarification about parking began. An email sent on Monday, July 27, from Blaisdell announced that all students are allowed to bring their cars to campus, regardless of the previous 50-credit requirement. This allows freshmen to bring their cars for their first year.
Blaisdell announced how the college plans to accommodate more cars as there has been a shortage of space in previous years. Marist has a new lot at 51 Fulton and is in the process of creating spaces on the riverfront, Blaisdell said. Along with increasing space for on-campus parking, Marist acquired about 1000 parking spaces at Dutchess Community College, which Marist will operate shuttles to and from.
The lot at Dutchess Community College will be locked and secured at night and will open again at dawn. “For the most part, it’s not ready-access for students with under 50 credits,” Blaisdell said. “Particularly with first year students, they won’t have their car for a luxury –– it’s for storage.” In the event that a student needs to leave campus because of COVID-19-related circumstances or if classes unexpectedly move online, having a car can make the process easier, Blaisdell said.
Starting on Monday, July 27, the Marist Parking Pass Portal opened for parking permit applications for the 2020-2021 academic year.
For classes and college life, Marist outlined expectations and guidelines in the Fall 2020 Reopening Strategy. McMahon said students will be held accountable to follow Marist guidelines. He said it’s a shared responsibility among faculty and students to protect themselves and others.
“Ultimately, what’s going to be important is community enforcement,” McMahon said.
Among the Marist community members, it will become crucial to encourage students to abide by the mask guidelines. Masks are required in all resident and academic facilities.
“If a student repeatedly fails to comply or willfully refuses to follow guidelines, that is a serious issue,” McMahon said. “Serious actions will be taken to ensure compliance, which could mean dismissal or removal from campus to finish classes from home.” The guidelines are not optional and are intended to keep everyone in the community safe.
Security at Marist’s newest residency, Conklin Hall, was also addressed. Entrance is only swipe-accessible with an approved college ID, and the front desk will be staffed 24 hours per day by a security officer.
As for off-campus gatherings and activity, McMahon reminded students, “The risk of infection doesn’t go away with the boundaries of our campus.”
Students will need to practice the same care and diligence off campus as they would on campus by following New York State occupancy guidelines and social distancing policies. McMahon said students should not be hosting parties off campus. McMahon said the Poughkeepsie police department will be vigilant making sure parties are not happening off campus.
“Every Monday morning, we receive a report from the police department on any noise or party complaints off campus. We follow up on each and everyone of those,” Blaisdell said. “Clearly that will be a priority for us this year, following up with the house and the neighbors because we have to keep students safe and make sure they are making appropriate decisions.”
Source: Sydney Kysar