This afternoon, Chief of University Police Michael Cloutier conducted a Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) for Teacher Candidates in our Education Programs. The course, designed and built on the Avoid, Deny, Defend (ADD) strategy developed by Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) in 2004, provides strategies, guidance, and a proven plan for surviving an active shooter event. 

Topics: Information Session, Community, Education Program, Campus Safety

Students, along with Assistant Professor, Film and Video, Rachelle A. Dermer, had a boisterous discussion during their Short Film Story Development course. The course is an intensive film/video course that examines short film story development in detail. Students will work to gain a solid understanding of the principles of cinematic storytelling and put that knowledge into practice by writing several short screenplays. Specifically, students will study short screenplay plot structure, character development, writing for mise-en-scéne, and dialogue.

Topics: Communications/Media

President Lapidus presided over the ribbon-cutting for the new veterans center in Thompson Hall on Thursday, Sept. 7. In his remarks, President Lapidus described the university's proud history of supporting student veterans.

"After World War II, the GI Bill created opportunities for returning soldiers to pursue college degrees, and Fitchburg State was such a popular destination that we actually built barracks on-campus, just across the Quad from where we are now, where our science complex now stands," he said.

Topics: Student Experience, Events, Community

Today, President Lapidus hosted a Welcome Back & Recognition Day for our returning faculty.  The day began with colleagues gathering outside the Antonucci Science Complex, where they had the opportunity to reconnect after the summer, and before the start of the fall semester tomorrow.

Topics: Events, Our Faculty, Community

Director for Student Diversity, Equity, and Belonging Programs Junior Peña, and Student Leaders in the Center for Diversity and Inclusiveness (CDI) facilitated the “I am Fitchburg State” student panel during fall orientation this morning and afternoon. Students spoke about their fears before getting to campus, overcoming challenges, and managing the stresses of college life.

Topics: Student Experience, Information Session, Community

Before Student Orientation, University President Dr. Richard Lapidus welcomed the newest Falcons this morning in the Holmes Dining Commons. Associate Dean for Student Development Hank Parkinson, and Vice President for Student Affairs Laura Bayless also greeted the students before our Orientation Leaders unveiled their own welcome video and began orientation.

Topics: Student Experience, Our Students, Information Session, Community

We are excited to welcome more than 800 new undergraduate Falcons to campus this semester, more than half of whom moved in on Monday, Sept. 4. The incoming class includes students from 27 states. Our first-year orientation programs began Monday afternoon and continue through Wednesday, with the start of the fall semester classes on Thursday, Sept. 7.

Topics: Student Experience, Admissions, Community

After a brief Get to Know You activity, and an introduction by Director of International Education Nelly Wadsworth,  President Lapidus, along with Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Franca Barricelli welcomed our newest cohort of International students at their orientation in the Hammond Maine Lounge.

Topics: Student Experience, International Education, Admissions, Community, International Admissions

Damp weather couldn't dampen spirits at this morning's Welcome Back & Employee Recognition Celebration. Due to inclement weather, President Lapidus hosted this annual event at the Liscotti Pavilion in the Antonucci Science Complex Colleagues gathered and were able to reconnect after the summer, and before the start of the fall semester next week. After making their way to Kent Recital Hall, President Lapidus welcomed all, gave an update and a look to what's ahead, followed by awards and recognitions.

Topics: Events, Information Session, Staff, Community

Chief of University Police Michael Cloutier invited our Residents Assistants, and Housing and Residential Services staff, to tour University Police facilities. Along with lunch and meeting the University Police staff, students and staff got to try out equipment, see what it's like to perform a sobriety test with "drunk" goggles, meet Odin, our therapy dog, and so much more!

Topics: Student Experience, Information Session, Community, Campus Safety