On Sunday, Oct. 24, Student Council met to discuss issues with printing and Wi-Fi, transportation to and from John Glenn Columbus International Airport and Greyhound bus stations over Thanksgiving break and the possibility of relocating the Office of Campus Safety.

Buildings, Grounds, and Sustainability Committee Chairperson Caleb Newman ’24 explained that students using Macs may be experiencing problems printing due to an issue with a Windows security patch. The College is currently working on a solution; in the meantime, he suggested that students print using the website PaperCut. Additionally, students may have trouble connecting to Wi-Fi due to out-of-date equipment. While the College usually upgrades equipment annually, it was unable to do so last year because of budget cuts relating to the pandemic. The necessary budget approval from the Board of Trustees will not happen until January, but in the meantime, students experiencing Wi-Fi problems should email Helpline with their location on campus.

Newman also reminded students that the Chalmers Library feedback form closes on Thursday, Oct. 28. He encouraged students to submit any comments or concerns about the library through that form.

The Council also announced that the College will be providing free transportation between campus, the John Glenn Columbus International Airport and the Columbus Greyhound bus station at the start and end of Thanksgiving break. Transportation Coordinator Miracle Mahle sent out a Google form to the student body on Wednesday detailing shuttle times: two each on the Friday and Saturday before break, two on the Saturday after break and one on the Sunday. Each bus holds 56 passengers. Although filling out the Google form is not mandatory to get a ride, students are strongly encouraged to do so in order to reserve a guaranteed spot on the bus. 

“If someone shows up and they haven’t signed up, we’re not going to turn them away unless the bus is completely full,” Director of Campus Safety Michael Sweazey said. Still, filling out the form helps keep an accurate count of students planning to take the shuttle so that more buses can be added if necessary.

Finally, Vice President for Student Affairs Celestino Limas introduced the possibility of moving the Office of Campus Safety from its current location at 101 West Scott Lane to the second floor of Gund Commons. Limas explained that the current location is hard to find, with thin walls that make the interior less than optimal for private conversations or taking statements. Gund Commons, on the other hand, is in direct proximity to the first responders right across the street, as well as in the center of student traffic. 

“This is a chance for us to feed two birds with the same seed,” Limas said. “We find a better location to serve all of you and and all of the employees of this campus and we also get to reintroduce Campus Safety to campus with a new ethos and validate that through actions.” 

However, some Council members raised concerns about the new location, worrying that moving Campus Safety to such a populated area would discourage students who prefer more privacy from seeking out its resources on sensitive matters, or that it would take away from the student-centered atmosphere of Gund Commons.

“I think the best way moving forward is trying this out, working it forward, but then ultimately reassessing as we move forward,” said Diversity and Inclusion Committee Chairperson Bijan Khaghani ’23.

If approved, the proposed move would take place in January.

The next Student Council meeting will be held on Sunday, Oct. 31 at 7:00 p.m.