To the Editor,
I read with interest your recent article regarding Pumpkin Festival (Don’t Lose Your Head at Pumpkin Fest, 9/22). I would like to take this opportunity to share some information about steps the College is taking to educate students and maintain behavior that keeps us all safe while enjoying Pumpkin Fest. These steps and actions have been discussed with Student Assembly.
On campus:
• Starting at 8 p.m. on Friday (10/21) Residential Life will have four RA’s on duty in every area. That staffing pattern will be repeated Saturday night.
• Desk attendants will be on duty around the clock in nine halls, beginning at 5 p.m. on Friday and ending at 8 a.m. on Sunday. During that time each entry desk will be staffed by two attendants.
• Desks will be enforcing a strict two-guest per-resident limit.
• Other Residential Life staff will be present and available on campus.
• Educational floor meetings will be held in the days leading up to the festival.
• Safety and behavioral information will be distributed via hardcopy and electronically.
• Campus Safety will have increased staffing on all shifts for the weekend, supervised by the Director or Associate Director who will be on-call 24/7.
• Four UNH police officers will work with Campus Safety officers on the evening and overnight shifts.
• Contracted security officers will augment Campus Safety staff, attending to campus roadways and parking, as well as maintaining emergency access.
• Parking will be limited to individuals with valid permits.
Off campus:
• Campus staff and City Housing Inspectors will continue to visit off-campus houses and apartments to remind students of legal requirements and expectations.
• The city will have enhanced police presence throughout Keene neighborhoods.
• The KSC/Keene Police liaison officer will continue to visit off campus houses to educate students about appropriate behavior and law enforcement practices.
• All students will be sent safety and behavioral information via e-mail.
• Landlords will be contacted with additional information and will be notified promptly of problem properties both before and after Pumpkin-Fest.
Please remember, despite our precautions and your best intentions, problems can quickly escalate when thousands of people congregate in one small city. If you live on campus, call Campus Safety at 358-2228. You can also call your RA or RD, or call 911. If you live off campus, call 911.
Take care of each other! And please, please call for help if someone is sick or injured.
We wish you a safe and happy event.
Andrew P. Robinson
Vice President for Student Affairs
Keene State College
603-358-2108