Champlain takes extra precautions

Residence path off limits between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.

The Record has learned that following recent concerns among the Champlain/bishop’s community regarding possible assault attempts against students in Lennoxville, Champlain has gone the extra step of closing the Champlain residence path at night between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. effective immediately.

“As many are aware, Champlain students have long been discouraged from using the path at night. Regardless of hour, no one should walk the path alone as of dusk,” the internal memo stated.

Champlain Campus Director Nancy Beattie told The Record that the path, which is the property of BU, has been on the radar for a long time. Even though in the ten years Beattie has been with Champlain there have been very few security issues, students have always been told not to walk the path alone and to avoid it at night.

The administrations from both institutions met yesterday to discuss vulnerable areas of the campus and propose measures to improve the safety of the student population.

Adding in the recent time change, Beattie said it was a good time to officially close the path at night rather than simply discourage students from using it after dark. Signage will be posted next week.

The decision was a long time coming, Beattie said, and not just a reaction to the recent assault allegations.

Beattie pointed out that the allegations in question are unconfirmed at this point, not wanting to alarm the offcampus population.