Hudson Valley Community College says it cannot publicly share a recent study that was done to look at campus safety and security risks.

The report was done by an outside consultant.

NewsChannel 13 was first to report last week that HVCC was hit with a lawsuit from the faculty union for not sharing a copy of that report.

The union represents roughly 300 staffers including teachers, librarians and advisors.
NewsChannel 13’s Tessa Bentulan spoke with the union President Robert Whitaker. This lawsuit is a last attempt to get a look at the study, he said.

The union asked HVCC for a copy, Whitaker said, but was denied. They even filed a Freedom of Information report, but were also denied, Whitaker said.
It’s important the voices of the faculty be a part of the conversation about campus safety, Whitaker said.

HVCC sent the following statement to NewsChannel 13:

“The college community should be aware that a task force with representatives from the college’s Academic Senate – the shared governing body for faculty and staff of the college – and Student Senate will review the report with appropriate college leaders to determine new strategies to enhance public safety.”

Whitaker says that’s a good first step, but a baby step.

Whitaker does not want to speculate what’s in the actual security assessment, he said, but hopes this lawsuit directs the college to share it.