As Members of the University Community, you all have a vested interest in the law enforcement of the local Prince Edward / Farmville & Longwood Community. The University Judicial Board, a branch of the Student Government Association, works closely with local law enforcement agencies with cases and other incidents that involve student code of conduct enforcement and litigation. The Longwood University Police Department and Office of Public Safety also work closely with the Farmville Police Department on investigations and projects. It is important to understand the many challenges, problems, and potential changes that the Farmville Police Department is going through.
During the late portion of last semester, Chief Greg E. Jarvies (ret.) conducted a public forum with Col. R. R. Beach, Chief of Police and Director of Public Safety of the University, to gather input regarding the Farmville Police Department. The Farmville Town Council tasked Mr. Jarvies to compose an organizational assessment of the Farmville Police Department. Mr. Jarvies used his professional knowledge, serving as Chief of the Chapel Hill Police Department in North Carolina, and in many other law enforcement positions, to compose the document. In late April, Mr. Jarvies released his findings to the public.
In his executive summary, Mr. Jarvies states that “the Farmville Police Department lacks sufficient and critically needed direction, guidance and accountability.” He also cites that the environment of Farmville police officers and Longwood University students is adversarial. “Lines of communication and authority within the department are unclear and confusing.” Mr. Jarvies goes on to state that serious legal ramifications could result in if the Farmville Police Department does not change.
During Mr. Jarvies report on Organization Systems, he cites that “the department’s policies and procedures manual is incomplete, out of date, and poorly constructed.” He goes on to comment that there is no mission statement or code of values. He also states that the Use of Force Policy requires that Police Officers only report the use of force when such force results “in or is alleged to have resulted in injury or death.” According to Jarvies, the use of pepper spray does not need to be reported to the Department, which Jarvies sees as a problem.. Jarvies analyzes that “discipline is applied inconsistently and unfairly, dependent on the management and leadership styles of various supervisors.”
Mr. Gerald Spates, the Town Manager of the Town of Farmville expressed an obligation to the Farmville and University community of the Town’s Police Department. Town Manager Spates has offered that he was pleased that the report delivered to the Town Council was made public, and that the report gave residents and community members a view of the department. Spates commented that it has given Town Police Officers a glance of the perception of them. Community policing, which is highlighted in the report as lacking in the Town, is one of the goals that the Police Department, he stated, will be working on this year. He also commented that new technology will be incorporated within the Department, such as in-car cameras, to enhance the safety and accountability of claims and procedures with residents and the department’s officers.
Mr. Spates also offered that all of the Police Department’s procedures, policies, and standards have been visited and revised since the release of the report. He also commented that that have been vast changes in scheduling within the Department, supervisory procedures and positions have been created for all shifts as well. He stated that it is a very positive thing that the report was released to the public, and it is good to assess the situation and to improve and progress the Department.
For further reading, copies of the full assessment of the Department are available on the Student Government Association Website: http://lancer.longwood.edu/org/sga/, in the Office of the Town Manager located at the corner of High and Main streets, in the Office of the Student Government Association, and in the Office of the Judicial Board.
For questions regarding this memorandum, please contact SGA President Cam Patterson at SGAPresident@live.longwood.edu or Judicial Board Chairman Jordan Miles at Thomas.Miles@live.longwood.edu.
Cam Patterson
President, Student Government Association
T. Jordan Miles
Chairman, University Judicial Board
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Creation of the Joint Committee on Students Rights Education
Last week, Student Government Association in conjunction with the Office of the Vice-President for Student Affairs, created the Joint Committee on Students Rights Education of the Student Government Senate and the University Judicial Board.
Committee Membership will include: Dr. Tim J. Pierson, Vice-President for Student Affairs; R. R. Beach, Chief of Police and Director of Public Safety; Dr. Richard Chassey, Director of Judicial and Honor Programs; T. Jordan Miles, Judicial Board Chairman; Brittany A. Hackenberg, Chairman of the Honor Board; Brittany Pendleton, who will serve as Student Senate representative; and a Greek Representative, and representatives from the Student Health and Wellness Center and the Residential & Commuter Life Advisory Board.
The purpose of this Committee is to effectively educate the student body of their legal rights as citizens and members of the Longwood University community. This will be perused by creating a large educational campaign, targeting students and allowing them to access information that expands their knowledge of rights as individuals. The Committee will create and present information to students in ways that are accessible and that will enhance their understanding of the law and how it affects them.
Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Tim Pierson stated that “Student leadership and input on this Committee is essential,”. Many Student Governing Bodies across the Commonwealth and Country have actively worked to enhance students understanding of the law and their rights. The committee will begin by creating a few educational campaigns and hopefully the committee will be able to grow and expand its services to students.
The Committee also looks to get the Virginia Attorney General’s Office involved with the committee’s work.
For more information on the Joint Committee, please contact T. Jordan Miles III, Chairman of the Judicial Board, at Thomas.miles@live.longwood.edu, or call 434-395-2112.
Committee Membership will include: Dr. Tim J. Pierson, Vice-President for Student Affairs; R. R. Beach, Chief of Police and Director of Public Safety; Dr. Richard Chassey, Director of Judicial and Honor Programs; T. Jordan Miles, Judicial Board Chairman; Brittany A. Hackenberg, Chairman of the Honor Board; Brittany Pendleton, who will serve as Student Senate representative; and a Greek Representative, and representatives from the Student Health and Wellness Center and the Residential & Commuter Life Advisory Board.
The purpose of this Committee is to effectively educate the student body of their legal rights as citizens and members of the Longwood University community. This will be perused by creating a large educational campaign, targeting students and allowing them to access information that expands their knowledge of rights as individuals. The Committee will create and present information to students in ways that are accessible and that will enhance their understanding of the law and how it affects them.
Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Tim Pierson stated that “Student leadership and input on this Committee is essential,”. Many Student Governing Bodies across the Commonwealth and Country have actively worked to enhance students understanding of the law and their rights. The committee will begin by creating a few educational campaigns and hopefully the committee will be able to grow and expand its services to students.
The Committee also looks to get the Virginia Attorney General’s Office involved with the committee’s work.
For more information on the Joint Committee, please contact T. Jordan Miles III, Chairman of the Judicial Board, at Thomas.miles@live.longwood.edu, or call 434-395-2112.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Virginia 21
During the 2009-2010 school year you will see an increased presence on Longwood's campus from a organization named Virginia 21. Virginia21 is an action-tank involving young people across the Commonwealth in the political process by providing information, directing advocacy and coordinating political action on a non-partisan issue agenda. Virginia 21’s agenda focuses on policies that matter to building a better future for Virginia: Acting today to shape tomorrow. The primary focus of Virginia 21 is to focus on issues related to higher education.
Virginia 21 began back in 2002 on the campus of William and Mary when a group of students came together and said that Virginia needed a student lead pac committee that would devote its focus to issues of higher education. Nearly eight years later the organization has accomplished alot and maintains a stellar reputation in the halls of Richmond and on college campuses across the Commonwealth. Virginia 21 is involved with every public institution of higher education across the Commonwealth and maintains that contact and involvement through the use of Campus Coordinator's and by keeping in touch with SGA Presidents.
Accomplishments of Virginia 21 include the passing of the texbook fairness act and reform act back in 2004, the passing of a 2 year college transfer program that allows students attending community college to transfer to public institutions, and a massive Capital improvement program passed last year that has benifited all colleges across the Commonwealth. Virginia 21 has successfully lobbied for millions of dollars that have been put towards higher education in the Commonwealth.
Longwood looks to increase its involvement with Virginia 21 and next year the group looks to focus on getting the student body to understand the uber importance of the organization. Virginia 21 is special because there is no organization within Virginia and across the nation that is soley devoted to advancing higher education and focusing soley on the students needs.
Virginia 21 provides a forum for students across the Commonwealth to come together and share concerns and ideas on how to better Virginia particularly through the legislative process. Longwood is fortunate to be apart of that forum and we look forward to having you become apart of VA 21 next year.
~Cam Patterson~
Virginia 21 began back in 2002 on the campus of William and Mary when a group of students came together and said that Virginia needed a student lead pac committee that would devote its focus to issues of higher education. Nearly eight years later the organization has accomplished alot and maintains a stellar reputation in the halls of Richmond and on college campuses across the Commonwealth. Virginia 21 is involved with every public institution of higher education across the Commonwealth and maintains that contact and involvement through the use of Campus Coordinator's and by keeping in touch with SGA Presidents.
Accomplishments of Virginia 21 include the passing of the texbook fairness act and reform act back in 2004, the passing of a 2 year college transfer program that allows students attending community college to transfer to public institutions, and a massive Capital improvement program passed last year that has benifited all colleges across the Commonwealth. Virginia 21 has successfully lobbied for millions of dollars that have been put towards higher education in the Commonwealth.
Longwood looks to increase its involvement with Virginia 21 and next year the group looks to focus on getting the student body to understand the uber importance of the organization. Virginia 21 is special because there is no organization within Virginia and across the nation that is soley devoted to advancing higher education and focusing soley on the students needs.
Virginia 21 provides a forum for students across the Commonwealth to come together and share concerns and ideas on how to better Virginia particularly through the legislative process. Longwood is fortunate to be apart of that forum and we look forward to having you become apart of VA 21 next year.
~Cam Patterson~
The Virginian
During the Tuesday April 21st Senate meeting the Student Senate listened to a presentation regarding the Virginian. The presentation was made by former Vice President Stephen Lee who along with his committee worked on this issue during the past Senate session. The Student Finance Committee during the budget allocation process voted to include into the SGA budget a blank line item of 20,000. This was done in an effort to give the Senate a option as to whether they wanted to continue with the USA Today Readership Program or proceed into a contract to produce The Virginian (yearbook). The Senate voted to include into the budget for the 2009-2010 school year 20,000 to fund the Virginian yearbook. The funding of the Virginian signaled the end of the USA Today College Readership Program that began during year two of the Philip Burns administration. There was no way financially that the SGA could fund both the Virginian and Readership Program.
The Virginian making its way back to campus is very exciting for the University. The Virginian has been apart of University life for many years and it is wonderful to be able to bring back a wonderful LU tradition. For the first couple of publications the Virginian will be housed as an entity of the Student Government Association. The Virginian staff will be led by Chief Editor Kae Poe and will receive direct supervision from Vice President Van Daniker and myself.
There are some students that are against the funding of the Virginian and they raise perfectly valid points. I strongly encourage these students to lobby your SGA Senate during the next school year and voice your frustrations. We do listen and we will take your concerns into consideration as we proceed with the next budget allocation process for the 2010-2011 school year. I will say that the 67th session of the Student Senate spoke very clearly when they voted to bring the Virginian back. The 2009-2010 Executive Board will honor there wishes and proceed with the publication of the Virginian. As a Student Government we will throw our full support behind the Virginian and provide assistance to the staff as they go about putting the book together. It is our hope and goal along with the Virginian staff to make this yearbook something that Longwood and its students can be proud of.
Kind Regards,
Cam Patterson
President, Student Government Association
The Virginian making its way back to campus is very exciting for the University. The Virginian has been apart of University life for many years and it is wonderful to be able to bring back a wonderful LU tradition. For the first couple of publications the Virginian will be housed as an entity of the Student Government Association. The Virginian staff will be led by Chief Editor Kae Poe and will receive direct supervision from Vice President Van Daniker and myself.
There are some students that are against the funding of the Virginian and they raise perfectly valid points. I strongly encourage these students to lobby your SGA Senate during the next school year and voice your frustrations. We do listen and we will take your concerns into consideration as we proceed with the next budget allocation process for the 2010-2011 school year. I will say that the 67th session of the Student Senate spoke very clearly when they voted to bring the Virginian back. The 2009-2010 Executive Board will honor there wishes and proceed with the publication of the Virginian. As a Student Government we will throw our full support behind the Virginian and provide assistance to the staff as they go about putting the book together. It is our hope and goal along with the Virginian staff to make this yearbook something that Longwood and its students can be proud of.
Kind Regards,
Cam Patterson
President, Student Government Association
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Message regarding the 2009-2010 Budget
During the April 21st SGA Senate meeting the budget for the 2009-2010 school year was passed. The Student Finance Committee and the Student Senate made additional cuts to some student groups in an effort to trim down the budget. Entering the allocation process this year, the Student Finance Committee and the Senate faced the dilemma of seeing an increase in organizations and the amount requested, and no significant increase in the revenue sources that we had to allocate from. This has forced us to tighten our belts, and to cut back on some programs and initiatives that were funded in the past.
In this budget you will find across the board cuts in regards to conferences, uniforms, publicity, and food items. We strongly encourage all organizations to come back during the fall semester to request funding for those items that were cut from your budget, particularly for conferences. The first Student Finance Committee meeting will begin during the second week of school; check the http://lancer.longwood.edu/org/sga for more details.
We will also hold a meeting with all clubs and organizations early in the fall semester to explain the budget cuts, and some things to look out for during the upcoming school year in regards to the Student Finance Committee. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your budget, please email myself Cameron Patterson at sgapresident@live.longwood.edu or Executive Treasurer Shawn Fidler at sgatreasurer@live.longwood.edu. We would be more than happy to meet with you if necessary. Best of luck on your exams and enjoy your summer vacation.
Kind Regards,
Cameron D. Patterson
President, Student Government Association
Shawn Fidler
Executive Treasurer, Student Government Association
Sunday, April 12, 2009
The official blog of the SGA
I want to welcome you to the official blog of the Student Government Association. Here you will be updated with the latest happenings within the Student Government Association. You wont find any personal opinions here from any members of the orgnization, only the latest and most up to date news.
Cam Patterson
President-Elect
Cam Patterson
President-Elect
Moving Forward
The recent elections for all three branches of the Student Government mark a new beginning for the organization. But I can look back on the 08-09 school year and truly say that there was allot accomplished and allot to be proud of, many of our peers might not visually see some of those accomplishments, but they were defiantly there. The Big Event led by Senator Rolfe, Senator Cooney, and Historian Coney, the hiring of a Financial Technician led by President Revene, and the discussions that took place between the Board of Visitors, Administration, and SGA regarding textbook prices and tuition rates are just a few accomplishments that we can all be proud of as lancers.
With the many accomplishments that we have had, there is always room for improvement and growth. The SGA will continue to strenghthen and continue upon the accomplishments of the past Senate and SGA administration, but most importantly the 68th Session of the Student Senate will chart its own new path. This year you will see a more active, more visable, more transparent organization that will be more pro-active in seeking positive results for the Students of Longwood.
Cam Patterson
SGA President-Elect
With the many accomplishments that we have had, there is always room for improvement and growth. The SGA will continue to strenghthen and continue upon the accomplishments of the past Senate and SGA administration, but most importantly the 68th Session of the Student Senate will chart its own new path. This year you will see a more active, more visable, more transparent organization that will be more pro-active in seeking positive results for the Students of Longwood.
Cam Patterson
SGA President-Elect
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