SUNY Buffalo State’s United Student Government held its weekly meeting in the Campbell Student Union Social Hall last Wednesday, where they discussed campus safety, the upcoming Presidential inauguration and the possibility of extending the campus pool hours. USG also appointed four new students into the senate.

The meeting started off with University Police Department Lt. Daniel Harris, who spoke about the recent bicycle thefts happening on campus and how students should try to prevent it.

Harris said that if students don’t want their bike stolen they need to invest in U-bolt bike locks instead of the cheaper cable and chain locks.

“Every bicycle that was stolen, was stolen from a cable or chain lock,” Harris said. “Those are the four or five dollar locks that a bike thief can easily remove.”

Harris said that he’s working with the college’s bookstore to add U-bolt locks so students have the option to purchase the appropriate bike locks on campus.

UPD has arrested three people that were involved in the bike thefts. None of those arrested were students.

UPD is also looking into installing more cameras on campus to ensure student safety.

Students addressed issues with R-14 Lot being too dark and dangerous for students at night.

“A lot of students feel like there needs to be more cameras, especially in G lot (now known as R-14 Lot),” Sen. Tyson said. “There’s a lot of activity that happens in that lot and officers aren’t patrolling every area at all times. There should be more cameras so when you’re not around those cameras can capture what happens.”

Harris said the college has installed new cameras throughout the campus, such as around Bulger and in the Student Union, but installing cameras in R-14 Lot is more difficult.

“That lot is not technically the campus’s lot, it’s the psychiatric (center’s) lot and we’re in agreement to use it.” Harris said.

UPD is looking into a contract that will allow for new cameras to be installed in that area.

If students have any comments or concerns about anything on campus they can speak to UPD in Chase Hall.

Sarah Velez, student union director, mentioned the Presidential inauguration bash that begins on Oct. 14.

All students are invited to attend the event and Velez said this will be a perfect opportunity for students to meet and speak with Buffalo State’s new president, Katherine Conway-Turner.

“It’s going to be a great time,” Velez said. “I’m hoping people will just come out and have fun and help us in welcoming our ninth president.”

Later in the meeting, several senators addressed concerns about the hours that the campus pool is open for students. The campus pool is open on weekdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Sen. Grant said that those hours are just not convenient for most students.

USG members agreed that this is something to look into and try to change.

Four students were sworn into the senate at the end of the meeting: Amanda Bauza, junior criminal justice major; AnaDarlin Dejesus, history major also minoring in criminal justice; Jadejah Ellis, fashion and merchandising major; and Crystal Tomlinson.

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