NEWS
slatenews@gmail.com September 20, 2011
A3
SU police armed with Tasers Dana Rothermel Staff Writer
Many students walking around campus pass by a Shippensburg Univeristy police officer every now and then, and soon they will start noticing something extra being carried around. SU officers are now carrying around stun guns. To find out why this is a necessity for SU police, I spoke with Cytha Grissom the Director of Public Safety at SU. Why do you think SU police need to carry Tasers? “Tasers are another tool that police officers may use
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to perform their duties. “Many times, when an individual sees that an officer is carrying a Taser, the situation can be resolved without further action. Recovery from a stun gun deployment is much quicker/easier than from pepperspray. “Tasers are very beneficial in keeping both students and police officers safe.” Did the officers have to be trained on how to use a Taser? “Yes. They received hands on training, they viewed a lengthy training video and they had to pass a written exam with at least an 80 percent.”
Who ultimately decided that SU police officers should start carrying Tasers? “The process began by me taking the proposal to my vice president. She then took it before the president who required me to answer several questions and put together a written proposal. “I then made a presentation before the Student Senate. They too asked questions and then gave me their endorsement. “I then made a presentation before the University Council of Trustees. After they gave their consent, the president gave the ultimate consent.”
SU ranked in national magazine Stephanie Wyjadka Staff Writer
Shippensburg University and the John L. Grove College of Business have both recently earned impressive rankings. “U.S. News and World Report” named SU among top universities in the North in the “Regional University” category in their 2012 edition of Best Colleges. SU is tied for No. 82 along with eight other colleges — including Millersville University, West Chester University and Robert Morris University. The rankings are based on peer assessment, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources and alumni donation rates. “Shippensburg University has a long tradition of excellence, and this honor by a national publication is yet another recognition of that quality,” University President William Ruud
said. “At Shippensburg, everything we do is for our students and we’re proud that all of those efforts have earned this national honor. “I congratulate all members of the campus community.”
“Shippensburg University has a long tradition of excellence and this honor by a national publication is yet another recognition of that quality.” -SU President William Rudd
The John L. Grove College of Business specifically received recognition in the “Best Undergraduate Business Programs” category.
The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) ranked the college 343 out of 633 accredited undergraduate programs. The ranking was determined by a survey of deans and senior faculty at each undergraduate business program accredited by AACSB. Participants rated the quality of all programs on a scale of 1 (marginal) to 5 (distinguished). John Kooti, dean of the college, said, “The John L. Grove College of Business continues to be one of the top leaders in business education among AACSB accredited business schools in the world. “The U.S. News and World Report 2012 edition of undergraduate business program ranking is a wonderful testimony to this dedication. “I am very proud of the John L. Grove College of Business faculty, staff and students for continuing a 40-year tradition of excellence in business education.”
Do you foresee actually using the Taser? “Of course my hope is that we never have to use a Taser. There may be incidents, however, where one will have to be deployed. “I am glad that we have such a tool, and I am confident the Tasers will only be used when necessary.” Can you think of any instances in the past that the Tasers may have been useful? “In situations where an individual was violent and both the public and a police officer’s safety were put in jeopardy by trying to subdue him or her.”
Do you personally agree with the decision to carry them? Why or why not? “I absolutely agree. Tasers are not a new law enforcement device. They are being used in other PASSHE institutions, as well as many many other local police departments.
They are a safe, effective tool for police officers all around the country. “It is the responsibility of the university police department to provide as safe a living and learning environment as possible. Tasers help us meet that responsibility.”
SU receives MSW grant A grant from the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education will allow Shippensburg University to enhance its joint master of social work program with Millersville University. The university was awarded the $28,800 grant to purchase equipment and upgrade facilities to enhance teaching effectiveness through videoconferencing. The changes will allow greater flexibility in classroom arrangements and activities, as well as better interaction among students and faculty during simultaneously broadcast sessions at both campuses. Project directors for the grant are Marita Flagler, co-director of the Millersville-Shippensburg MSW Program and a member of Shippensburg’s Department of Social Work and Gerontology, and Michael Yoh, Shippensburg’s director of media services. The grant will be used to upgrade the videoconferencing equipment now used to link the two universities, including new graphics dis-
plays, and to improve the room’s acoustics. Shippensburg and Millersville, in a historic joint arrangement, began offering an MSW program in Fall 2006.
The university was awarded the $28,800 grant to purchase equipment and upgrade facilities to enhance teaching effectiveness through videoconferencing.
The joint program includes a mix of traditional campus-based instruction and distance education technology and allows students to take courses at the campus of their choice. The program is fully accredited by the Council on Social
Work Education. The mission of the program is to provide accessible social work graduate education in the south central region of Pennsylvania in order to prepare students for advanced generalist practice and to provide professional leadership and contribute to the development and dissemination of social work practice knowledge. The program seeks to: 1. Prepare students for competent advanced generalist practice, with a focus on rural client systems, through the acquisition and demonstration of social work knowledge, skills and values. 2. Provide leadership and service for the social welfare systems and the social work profession. 3. Foster commitment to professional development and the creation and dissemination of knowledge. More information about the MSW program is available at http://www.ship. edu/msw. -Courtesy of Shippensbug University