IPFW Chancellor: "Rate of criminal activity is remarkably low"

From: "Helpdesk Helpdesk-ITS" <HELPDESK@ipfw.edu>
Date: April 21, 2008 3:52:46 PM EDT
To: "Helpdesk Helpdesk-ITS" <HELPDESK@ipfw.edu>
Subject: Chancellor’s Message to the IPFW Community

To:  Colleagues & Students

From:  Michael A. Wartell
   Chancellor

Date:    April 21, 2008

Subject:  Chancellor’s Message to the IPFW Community   

For the second time in a few short weeks the IPFW community is mourning the loss of one of our own to an act of violence. Liette Nicole Martinez was the victim of homicide in her campus apartment, and the police have apprehended and charged a roommate’s family member in that homicide. Our thoughts are with the Martinez family at their time of loss.

Both the death of Liette Nicole Martinez on campus last week and that of Frederick Jones just off campus the week before are under investigation by the Fort Wayne Police, and details regarding those deaths will become public as those investigations proceed. We can say at this time, however, that there is no known link between the two tragedies other than the senseless loss of two students, the pain for their families and friends, and the grief experienced by the students, staff, and faculty of IPFW. We have counseling resources available to assist any members of the IPFW community who are experiencing challenges as the result of the deaths of our two student colleagues, and I encourage anyone needing such support to contact either the Dean of Students Office or Human Resources to access that assistance.

These events may understandably lead to concerns or discomfort concerning matters of personal safety. Are students, staff, faculty, and visitors safe at IPFW? While recent history gives ample reason for the question to be raised, records show that the rate of criminal activity is remarkably low and that this is the first homicide on campus in the history of our institution. We have a skilled professional police force, extensive security infrastructure, and appropriate policies and procedures to help assure safety on campus. We also work closely with Fort Wayne police when it comes to matters of safety in the immediate vicinity of campus. In addition, we have a number of educational programs in place to encourage students, staff, and faculty to help assure their own safety and the safety of others. Perhaps most importantly, we are not complacent when it comes to safety. Our programs, policies, and procedures are constantly under review to help assure we are doing as much as possible to provide a safe campus community in which to learn, work, and live.

At IPFW, our greatest strength and our shortest path to assuring our security is our belief in and reliance on community. Everyone of us who is a member of the IPFW community or who cares about someone that is a member of the IPFW community can and should help assure the safety and security of all on campus. We must be vigilant for signs of potential trouble or lapses in security. We must be prompt and persistent in bringing those matters to the attention of individuals charged with addressing such issues (e.g., University Police, Physical Plant, Campus Housing, Dean of Students, or Student Affairs). We must be a caring and just community, eager to support those struggling with personal issues but consistent in holding individuals accountable for their behavior. In that way, we all play an important role in shaping the best IPFW possible. Thank you for your patience, understanding, and support in these challenging times.

Comments

[Kristina Frazier-Henry]

IPFW shouldn't be in the business (co-owner or otherwise) of dormitories. It's a layer of distraction that they should even bother themselves with. Last time I checked - plenty of affordable "housing" in Fort Wayne.

Although I agree with what Wartel says (which I'm sure was filtered and re-worded by the Purdue lawyers), the fact of the matter is now, we officially have a homicide on campus and instead of focusing on things that further the educational mission, they will have to spend time re-establishing trust that was taken for granted.

[Craig Ladwig]

As a person who grapples with public opinion, I can understand the need for a chancellor to attempt to qualify unpleasant events. As a parent of a college student, though, I expect the "rate of criminal activity" to be zero when it includes murder on campus. And I would argue against the assertion that is either unreasonable or unfeasible. Fortunately, higher education still is a free market (unlike secondary education) and I can choose for my children colleges with chancellors who agree with me.

[Eric Fetcho]

As far as security and safety concerns, people are blowing this way out of proportion. There is nothing IPFW police and FWPD could have done to prevent this, if someone wanted to get in, they could. They cannot post an officer in each dorm room. They have masses of video cameras throughout campus and they paid off this week. They just need to figure out why the mother has been living in the dorms!?

Unfortunate incidents.

Chancellor Wartell is one of the nicest guys I have ever met and he is on the dot with this message.

[K. E. Casey]

Press releases always make me a little bit sick to my stomach, but this one...wow.

How about owning up to the fact that IPFW completely dropped the ball here?

Today's JG has new info; the woman was staying for 2 weeks in the dorm. How did that happen? Where was the security on that front? Just a few of the questions that have yet to be answered.

This happened on the IPFW campus. Let's just keep that in mind at all times when we're reading this spin.

This didn't happen somewhere outside of the school's dominion.

[Jason Blosser]

I demand a waiting period on the purchase of pots and pans and a mandatory background check for every kitchen knife purchased!

[karen and lauren hanes]

My husband and I attended the Eugene Robinson lecture and found it most enjoyable with the exception of the man that made such a scene and we were so disappointed that security did not step up. We felt that someone should have come to the defense of Mr Robinson and it did not happen. Very bad showing of security at the event.

[karen and lauren hanes]

One more comment! The students receive the best seats in the house but then leave before the speaker is finished. Poor taste and judgment...if they don't want to attend and stay for the entire message then seat them in an area where it won't be noticed. Sometimes you know the Q&A part is where they might learn the most!!!!

[brian stouder]

"My husband and I attended the Eugene Robinson lecture and found it most enjoyable with the exception of the man that made such a scene and we were so disappointed that security did not step up."

My daughter and I were there also - and it WAS an excellent event, and the boorish old man on the front row was indeed very out of line; Robinson was exceptionally kind to him, which was probably a mistake.

But - did you see (as the crowd was exiting, at the end) that disruptive old guy actually MOUNTED the STAGE??!! And did you see who blocked his path to Eugene Robinson?

Chancellor Wartell himself stopped the fellow, and stayed in his path, as Robinson went off stage. We exited before seeing if the policeman who was standing 100 feet away ever headed over and had a talk with the fellow...