Stetson Reporter

Stetson University September 9,1992 Volume 105s Number 1 • A look ahead, a look backward, the Editor speaks. Page 2 • The past week has seen the mobilization of an entire state's resources to combat the destruction of mother nature. Local efforts play a role. Page 4 • With the beginning of September, classes are not the only things that have begun. Stetson student organizations have begun again for the new year. Page 7 Public Safety undergoes transition By Kent Meekley Editor-in-Chief i Inwhathasbeendescribed as an expected move, the department of Public Safety has entered a period of transition following the resignations of Chief Alice Anselmo and Captain Frank Bileth, according to E. Dudley Howe, associate vice president for the physical plant. Anselmo resigned approximately two weeks before the start of school and Bileth tendered his resignation one week later. According to Howe, both Anselmo and Bileth and the administration felt that it would be best to start out the new year with a "clean slate." It was Howe's opinion that while Anselmo had good experience before coming to Stetson and exhibited excellentpolice methodology in dealing with criminal cases, her ability to deal with students wasunderminingherpo- sition. "Often, a minor case would be blown far out of proportion," Howe stated. Howe added, however, that Anselmo, "did a lot for us." During this period of ' 'transition'', administrative duties in Public Safety have been redistributed. Secretary Lynn Defranesco has assumed responsibility for office functions, and Serthat ?Public Safety is without a chief or captain, Howe emphasized the fact that students shuuld feel completely safe andprotected, Pub lic Safety will continue to offer the coverage and support that students have come to expect. A chain of command is in place twenty-four hours a day in which flbwe and" vice president and Dean of Campus Life, James Beasley will be constantly available should an emergency arise. i ■;;..v:^',^..;0V. ■ ■ * **?;#*.::. ■ v-" time of transition between chiefs. According to a press release, this interim period will provide, "an opportunity for Stetson to restructure its Public Safety Department into one of the finest private organizations in the country.'' Howe stressed that this would be accomplished by keeping Stetson students involved in the Department of Public Safety. Involving the students in the Department of Public Safety is apparently an attitude that other colleges and universities do not favor. Just two years ago, Stetson's Department of Public Safety was entirely student rim. The liabilities that this type of system produced was enough to encourage the administration to start moving towards a more professional security force. This transition period will allow the department to further orient itself in the desired direction. According to Howe, thiswouldinvolve a professional force dealing with administrative matters and bolstered by a student force. The students are and would continue to act as officers, dispatchers, and escorts. Although the number of people involved in public safety "varies", at present it is composed of twenty-two to twenty- five people, eleven of which are full-time. Howe emphasized that it will be important for the new chief to develop a close relationship with students. The new chief would be expected to be highly visible to the Stetson community. Requirements for the new Chief of Public Safety include a good educational background, college or university experience , and a Class D license that is issued by the state of Florida. Howe felt that a new chief would most likely be found by the end of the month. After tips transition period is over, Howe hopes that students will look upon Public Safety as their friend, and a very "user- friendly" department. Convocation stresses the insane side of college life By David Alvin Staff Writer Last Wednesday's convocation service in the renovated Elizabeth Hall Chapel was a renewal of the Stetson commitment to excellence. President H. Douglas Lee opened this year's ceremony with a rousing welcome to new an<| returning members of the Stetsoiyeom- munity. Student Association Presi - dent Gayle Littleton delivered the invocation and English professor Bryan Gillespie delivered a litany for the university. The keynote address was given by Englishprofessorand 1992 McEniry Award Winner Michael Raymond. In his address, he compared the quest of the collegiate (student, faculty member, or administrator) with that of Don Quixote, the erratic knight-errant immortalized by Cervantes. Raymond pointed out. Who could not celebrate-if not identify with—a character who has the courage to leave the safety of a library to try to change a harsh, unforgiving . and dangerous world?" He said that "Stetson. . would be well-served by following Don Quixote's model as a risk- taker. Faculty and students should go a little insane and take some quixotic risks." He urged, students in particular, "to risk going to collage as if they were always first-semester students." Being a "Sancho Panza riding alongside the Quixotes on an adventure," would not always be easy, but the end result would be (and is) well worth the wait. .2SS3^