Monroe Community College’s decision to move out of the Sibley Building was prompted, in part, by input from students. Trustees voted Saturday to move to Kodak’s State Street headquarters complex.
MCC shared with 13WHAM News comments from a focus group led by student trustee Megan Scott. Issues of safety and transportation loom large. Sibley is easier to get to by bus, since all buses go to Main St. But Sibley is perceived as having safety issues.
Here are all of the comments shared with us:
"I think that the inner city campus location is great. Though there are security and officers all around, I feel that coming to the building could be a little safer, with all the hanging around the outside of the building. And the parking situation could be better."
"The only good thing [about the current Damon campus] is the location on the bus line."
"Safety is scary at night for night classes."
"[Damon Campus] needs to be better for handicapped people."
"Need more space at DCC to have more things available for the students. Since we are the same school [as MCC's Brighton Campus], we should have the same benefits and opportunities available."
"We need more labs and classrooms that meet our needs. The ones we have now are too cramped and sometimes there aren't enough desks or space for the desks to all face one direction in the classroom."
"More student parking availability is a must -- and hopefully it won't be shared parking."
"I would like to see 'green space' on campus and more gym and recreational facilities during the time between classes."
"I would like to see a bigger library."
"Library expansion"
"There are groups of youth on the Clinton Ave. area and near the parking garages that have no problem beating up students. I have seen it."
"Why can't our public safety officers be armed at Damon?"
"The perception that media portrays about the downtown area is our biggest enemy because it makes the violence in this area more acceptable since it is expected."
"If there was a night life then we would feel safer because there is a lot going on around us besides just people out and up to no good at this time. The criminals don't want to be seen when everyone is around."
"I'd like to see us become a destination campus; a reason why students want to come to DCC because of unique offerings, programming, or department specific location."
"We would like study rooms in the library so there is a quiet place to study and break rooms for in between classes to relax from the stress of school."
"There is not safety to and from parking. Sometimes I find human body fluids (feces, etc..) in the parking garage and surrounding areas into campus on Mondays. It is gross!"
"MCC only parking rather than shared parking will make me feel safer."
"Expansion on everything we currently have for student services."
"Control of the outside area surrounding our campus; when I walk out the door, I want MCC to own that area."
"More security outside of the campus."
"We don't know what is going on outside of those doors [to Main St.] and we walk right into what is going on. One time, there was a guy on the ground who was bleeding in front of me and I had no idea what happened or why. I was terrified. The police hadn't gotten there yet."
"MCC cannot control the environment outside of the fourth and fifth floor. I feel safe while there but I can't keep coming someplace if it puts me in danger before I get there."
"I have seen fights next to the Shuttle pick-up area before the Shuttle gets there. It is scary."
"Police arrive only after someone is already hurt."
"There are fights by the RTS pick-up all the time. It is a regular occasion and never a surprise. Each day I don't know what to expect 'til I'm out there."
"One afternoon, I left class and there was yellow tape outside of my college campus. There was confusion and after I got out of there and was home, I found out the reason why -- a girl had been stabbed."
"We even have to sign into our library because there have been people there who aren't supposed to be. It is really scary, not to mention inconvenient if I just want to sit and use a table to do my homework."
"A new campus will be a highlight of the city and attract a more diverse population. It will also give the high school students something to look forward to -- an accessible and safe college located in an urban area."
"Residence halls located in the city would help with transportation and accessibility."
"I would be willing to travel if it is off of the bus lines as long as it is within close proximity."
"Everything will be okay if I can use the MCC Shuttle service still."
"It might be a little harder but I am not too worried because there are going to probably be less people out front for bus transfers and just hanging out because the high school kids skipped class."
"I would be willing to compromise my schedule to be located away from the main terminal because they drop off kids who are supposed to be in school but instead are up to no good."
"Main St. is an area that attracts a lot of traffic and with that comes drug deals, crimes, and violence."
"It's okay but only if it is a little out of the way. I still need the bus."
