December 9, 2021
Dear Fredonia community:
Happy Thursday evening! With a week left to go, we have come to the end of the semester! Hence, this is my final weekly update for this semester. Please know that I have enjoyed writing these weekly communications, and I appreciate the time you have taken to read them.
Today, I have a few items to share with you.
Security/Safety Improvements
Following a campus incident this fall, students expressed safety concerns about walking across campus at night. Since then, I have met with senior leaders at the university to find solutions. As promised, I am pleased to share with you that enhanced safety measures are being implemented now and into the spring semester.
In the wake of the incident on campus in early October, several students joined members of our Emergency Planning team and University Police to walk the campus and identify potential safety concerns. As a result, 26 recommendations for safety improvements were made. I am pleased to report that all 26 recommendations have been implemented. The changes include brighter lighting in parking lots and additional lighting to several areas on campus.
Additionally, the campus safety bus (formerly referred to as the Escort Bus) discontinued a few years ago, will operate again in the Spring 2022 semester. The bus will run seven days a week from 9:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m., and will provide an additional measure of safety to a campus that is already exceedingly safe. We will send more information about this before the start of the spring semester.
Students, while I am calling the bus “campus safety bus” in this communication, I am open to suggestions for a formal name from you. If you would like to suggest a name for this bus, please do so. Please send your suggestion(s) to president.office@fredonia.edu. A prize will be awarded to the student whose entry is selected by the President’s Cabinet.
COVID-19 Cases on Campus
As of this morning, there are 13 active cases among students, and four active cases among employees. COVID-19 remains a threat that cannot be taken lightly. As a campus, we have done an incredible job at keeping infections low, and I am very appreciative of the things that everyone has done to keep the campus safe. Let's continue to do everything we can (proper mask wearing, vaccinations, booster, social distancing, enhanced hygiene practices, etc.) to protect ourselves from COVID-19 and its variants.
Holiday Open House and Food Pantry Donations
I want to thank everyone for stopping by the Williams Center on Wednesday for the Holiday Gathering. It was heartwarming to see so many faculty, staff, emeriti, and to meet some of you for the first time. I’d like to thank the FSA staff for the wonderful refreshments and decor, the student ambassadors who assisted me at the event, and for the School of Music jazz and choral performers. I am especially appreciative of the donations received for the campus Food Pantry and the Chautauqua County Rural Ministry. Thank you for your generosity.
Non-perishable food items will continue to be collected for the Food Pantry and the Chautauqua County Rural Ministry. We will keep the collection boxes open through the end of this week. You can leave items in the boxes located in the MPR room of the Williams Center, which is open until 10 p.m. Again, thank you for your kindness and generosity.
Have a Wonderful Holiday Break
Faculty and staff, thank you for another successful semester. While COVID-19 has complicated many things for us, you have found effective ways to continue to deliver our mission. Thank you. Students, you have stayed the course, notwithstanding COVID induced challenges. As you know, resilience is one of the essential ingredients in the achievement of success. I commend you for complying with our COVID-19 safety requirements. To the parents, thank you for your continued support and entrusting us to educate your student(s). Alumni, friends, supporters and stakeholders of SUNY Fredonia, I cannot thank you enough for your interest, encouragement, and support for our institution. Donors, your generous gifts are more important than ever. I am deeply grateful for your ongoing support of our students’ academic success.
Everyone, please stay safe, have a wonderful holiday season and a joyous and prosperous new year. Cheers!
Very truly yours,
Dr. K
Stephen H. Kolison, Jr., Ph.D.
President and Professor