It its first year, the Public Safety Advisory Group suffered from a spotty member-attendance record that hampered the group’s ability to vote and approve more than its own charter and bylaws.
The group was created to provide the University Department of Public Safety with recommendations on campus safety issues, but PSAG meetings last year rarely saw the simple-majority quorum needed to officially vote on recommendations, leaving it able only to discuss bicycle safety and DPS’ pursuit policies.
Office of Student Advocacy Director Hilary Berkman, an ex officio PSAG member, said the group got off to a slow start in its maiden year, but is now ready to become a relevant part of the campus community.
PSAG’s primary function, according to the group’s charter, is to act as a liaison between the Department of Public Safety and the campus community, but not to review complaints against the department.The group is composed of volunteer students, University staff and community members.
“The purpose of the group is to give the campus community a voice in how DPS does business and to give people an opportunity to provide input,” DPS Interim Director Tom Hicks said. “PSAG will analyze trends but not individual cases.”
Student Judicial Affairs Director Chris Loschiavo, an ex officio member of PSAG, said that sporadic attendance by student members hindered the group’s progress last year, but that he understands that it’s difficult for students to break away from other time commitments.
“We had a problem with attendance,” former ex officio member Jane Poe said. “We didn’t have enough to meet a quorum, and it was difficult to get bylaws passed.”
Berkman agreed, but said the delay was expected.
“Our slow start shouldn’t be considered unusual for a new group of this nature,” Berkman said.
Toward the end of the school year, the group turned its attention to several issues, including bicycle safety and DPS procedures regarding pursuit of suspects, Hicks said.
Several group members mentioned they discussed a number of issues, but said there was never a vote to forward recommendations to DPS.
Members are looking forward to setting the group’s agenda in the new school year.
“Things should be more comfortable and routine, since our initial formation is complete,” Loschiavo said. “Now we will have time
to take a look at what is going
on around campus.”
Berkman said the PSAG is a great idea and has generated a lot of interest. The group can achieve much more in its second year, she said.
Many members said the number of issues the group handles can greatly increase this year if the members are present and concerned with effecting change.
“We need to have members who can be there to vote,” Loschiavo said.
Hicks envisions a time when the PSAG will be capable of handling much more than bicycle safety. He remains supportive of the group’s aims, he said.
“At some point we’d like to
give the group a copy of our policy manual and receive their input,” Hicks said. “With their help,
incidents can be resolved much more quickly.”

Michael A. Booth is a freelance
reporter for the Emerald.