Director of Safety and Security Randy Nichols has a mantra. Asked to divulge it by Class of 2012 Bowdoin Student Government (BSG) Representative Nyle Usmani during a visit to Wednesday's BSG meeting, Nichols stated, "Number one, you've got to care." During the 40 minutes that he spent with the BSG, Nichols offered a verbal report of the state of the College's security situation.
Most questions posed to Nichols on Wednesday evening involved the campus's alcohol policies. Vice President for Student Government Affairs John Connolly '11 began this line of inquiry with a question regarding Nichols's stance on the Amethyst Initiative, a movement among college presidents to suggest that the drinking age should be reconsidered. Due to his experience as a police officer, during which he saw too many young people "wrapped around trees after a night of drinking," Nichols voiced his support of President Barry Mills's decision not to sign the initiative.
Nichols understands, however, that legally prohibiting the purchase and consumption of alcohol by those under the age of 21 will not prevent minors from consuming it. Indeed, he acknowledged, "Many of our students are going to choose to drink underage." Throughout his discussion with BSG, Nichols emphasized the importance of personal responsibility, especially when it comes to the welfare of others.
"I never want a student to get busted for calling me," he said. "If somebody's afraid to call, that's a recipe for disaster."
Nichols said that students can also contribute to the general welfare of the community by alerting security to the presence of suspicious persons. Community members have received several security alerts throughout the year warning about potentially threatening individuals. Allaying fears yet advising vigilance, Nichols said that, "It's a safe community. We have to always be on the alert."
Before Nichols's arrival and after his departure, BSG discussed several other business items. Following up on the Government's discussion with the Evergreens, Vice President for Facilities Mike Dooley '10 announced that BSG will throw its full support behind the group's initiative to reduce the amount of bottled water on campus. Also, members voted unanimously to approve a change to BSG bylaws establishing a liaison position to report on the activities of the Brunswick Town Council.
Upcoming legislation includes changes to student education procedures regarding judgments of the Judicial and Sexual Assault and Misconduct Boards. Members plan to vote on an opinion suggesting that the Boards provide a public report containing specific details of cases and judgments rendered on a semiannual basis. The opinion will also encourage the Boards to release these reports in the Orient and on the Bowdoin web site as well as through the current system of delivering copies to Smith Union mailboxes and via e-mail.
Next Wednesday, BSG plans to meet at 8:30 p.m. in 208 Adams Hall to continue discussion of the J-Board opinion and its Health Center investigation.