Rooney makes campus a safer environment

During the summer, Lawrence Rooney, a retired cop after serving 25 years, has his own farm stand. "I even sell my own maple syrup," he said, laughing.

Rooney used to work with armed robbery cases, sexual assault cases and even bounced checks. Now, when Rooney isn't working at his farm stand, he is working at Norwich to assist in student mentorship and campus safety in the evening and weekend hours.

Rooney was hired for this new position for the Spring 2010 semester.
According to Michael Kelley, vice president for student affairs and Commandant of Cadets, the university was working with minimal adult presence at night. "We felt from a risk-management perspective that probably wasn't the right thing to be doing," Kelley said.

"Let's say on a Monday night, there's really no one here except for one security person who is here until the following morning when we return to work," Kelley said. "I asked for the opportunity to bring on a night person and the president agreed."

Norwich was looking for somebody with a security presence but also someone "who had the skill set of working with young people and college-aged students," said Martha Mathis, dean of students.

Rooney had the experience that Norwich was looking for. He was a cop in Massachusetts for 25 years, a police prosecutor, and a detective before retirement. He also worked at Middlebury College as the assistant director of public safety for a short time.

"The college wants someone in administration to be more hands-on with the students and more available during over-night hours," Rooney said.

Rooney is used to working with college students because of his job at Middlebury. "I understand we have students going through a lot of different stress," Rooney said. "I have an avenue to help them and work with them."

"We (are) really lucky that he loves the age group, loves Vermont, loves Norwich and he brings a lot of communication skills to the position," Mathis said.

"He has experience in what he does and is just there to help if something goes wrong," said Dustin Fleming, a 20-year-old junior architecture major from Bridport, Vt.
Rooney is on campus Friday and Saturday nights as well as two nights during the week from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m.

"He does rounds to check the building, he locks up both corps and civilian dorms and checks on us every once in a while," said JoLynn Brewer, a 21-year-old senior criminal justice major from Auburn, N.Y., who is a resident advisor in South Hall. "He's a better source for us to go to instead of always having to call security for things."

"Instead of calling security, (students) can call me or I can just be a resource (them),"

Rooney said. "I'm not here to scrutinize everyone."
According to members of Norwich's professional staff, having an extra set of eyes working on campus during the night is helpful.

"I think Norwich deciding to have additional professional staff on campus is a great idea," said Iphy Tanguay, director of residence life. "It's nice to know when I go home that there's someone still here."

"As an RA, it's quite helpful especially on the weekends," Brewer said. "Security doesn't just have to worry about the civilian side, they have to worry about the corps too and if the corps is getting a call and security can only be in one place, with (Rooney) it makes it easier because he responds to one scene and security to the other."

According to Kelley, many students have asked what the difference is between Rooney's position and Norwich security.

"Security has a broad responsibility; buildings, the grounds and so fourth," Kelley said. "Mr. Rooney's focus is on our students and where they live, where they're hanging out, having fun in the Mill or in a party or dance or something that would be going on (around) campus."

"(Rooney) provides, for those student staff who are directly dealing with issues, extra support," Tanguay said. "It's been nothing but positive as far as we're concerned."
Although Rooney has just started working, he is already making a difference, according to Norwich officials.

"What I have observed already was his interaction with students; really professional, really caring," Kelley said. "He (is) enforcing our policies but mentoring students through tough situations."

According to Kelley, students feel comfortable talking to Rooney; they are not afraid to ask for help or start a conversation.

"When he enters a space instead of giving him the look, students might say, ‘Come join us we're playing pool'," Mathis said. "I think that's not how we see security, be that right or wrong. I think he's going to be able to walk into Dodge (Hall) and say, ‘How are you guys doing?' or join in a card game or say, ‘How's your homework going?"

"While I was on guard duty one night, (Rooney) stopped by the guard shack just to see how everything was going and say hello," Fleming said. "He seems like a good guy."

Some students are still skeptical when they see someone walking through the dorms, according to Rooney.

"I think some of the students are wary of it," Rooney said. "They worry that it's too much ‘big brother' walking through the dorms. I know security isn't as involved."

"But on the flip side, I think a lot of students are glad to have someone here," Rooney said. "I think it's nice to know that there's somebody they can call of if they have a question."

According to Mathis, Rooney does not report to security and does not have the "out to get you" mentality, which makes students feel more comfortable."I'm not out to get (students)," Rooney said. "I'm here to be a resource. Whatever the situation is, (students can) call me."

It is Mathis' hope that students will go to Rooney if they need help instead of running from him. "He comes with a wealth of information. He's a gentlemen's farmer as well," Mathis said.

"He has to be the bad guy sometimes, but (students are) beginning to see him as a resource," Kelley said.

According to Kelley, Rooney filling this position demonstrates Norwich's responsibility to provide a safe and healthy environment for students.

"I didn't know how I would feel about whether one person could make a difference, but I already feel like he's made a difference," Kelley said. "I think he will be a long-term asset for Norwich."