This morning, Chief of University Police Michael Cloutier conducted a Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) training session for Orientation Leaders and Resident Assistants. 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 ideally avoiding, surviving an active shooter event. 

Associate Vice President, Capital Planning and Maintenance Matt Lechter hosted a luncheon on the quad to thank Capital Planning and Maintenance Maintainer staff members for all their hard work this summer readying the campus for the fall semester. President Hodge and members of her Cabinet stopped by to thank them for all their work as well. 

Last week, the Fitchburg State University Police Department hosted an Active Attack Integrated Response (AAIR) course through ALERRT (Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training).

This intensive 16-hour, two-day program brought together regional police officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, and dispatchers to enhance tactical coordination during critical emergencies. The curriculum focused on integrated rescue task force concepts, unified command, and point-of-injury medical intervention.

Special thanks to the Massachusetts Municipal Police Training Committee (MPTC), the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy (MFA), and ALERRT for facilitating this essential training. Inter-agency collaboration remains vital to ensuring the safety and preparedness of our campus and surrounding communities.

Our Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math & Science summer program students spent Friday giving back to the community during their annual Day of Service. After rolling up their sleeves and putting in some hard work, our students headed back to campus to celebrate with a well-earned lunch and a afternoon packed with fun activities on the Quad. 

Last night, Fitchburg State University was thrilled to host the Verge Band on the Quad as the latest installment of our annual Summer Series. The premier dance-rock group delivered a high-energy performance that rocked the quad.  

We always promise a memorable experience on the Quad, but last night we might have taken "special effects" a bit too literally!  A huge thank you to the resilient crowd that joined us for Hamilton. Despite an unexpected, pre-movie sprinkler cameo, everyone took it completely in stride. Thank you for turning a little tech hiccup into a fun campus memory. The Summer Series continues on Thursday, July 16 at 5:30 p.m. with a night of live music featuring The Verge – a premier dance-rock party band guaranteed to liven up the Quad. Rest assured that the sprinklers will not be activated during the rest of our July offerings. 

In partnership with the Spanish American Center and Best Buy, Dean of Business and Technology Dr.Mahmoud Al-Odeh and Fitchburg State University are proud to host Geek Squad Academy's two-day camp that allows students to become "Junior Agents". Working alongside professional Geek Squad Agents, kids will develop tech skills, spark their creativity, build self-confidence, and explore future tech careers. Sessions include, game design, robotics, stop-motion film production, and digital music creation. After their welcome, Admissions Assistant Director Tyler Scipione shared all the opportunities here at Fitchburg State University where they can enlist their new skill set. We love seeing our campus transform into a hub for the next generation of innovators. Welcome to the academy, Junior Agents! 

 Protecting, serving, and thriving right alongside our community!  Today is #PublicServiceDay, and we want to send a massive shoutout to the incredible officers and staff of the Fitchburg State University Police Department! Our campus police are so much more than a department—they are a deeply integral part of our daily university life. From keeping our campus secure to connecting with students, offering guidance, and always being ready to jump into campus activities (even if it means braving the mechanical bull at a campus event! ), they show up for our flock every single day with professionalism and pride. Thank you to our dedicated officers, dispatchers, and staff for your unwavering commitment to our safety, your mentorship, and your constant support of student life. 

Bridging campus life and community engagement. As part of Fitchburg State University's orientation programming, incoming students participate in the "Tour of Fitchburg"—a popular activity designed to introduce our newest Falcons to the cultural, historical, and recreational landmarks of our host city. Led by student Orientation Leaders, the tour included visits to Hollis Hills Farm, the Fitchburg Art Museum, and Coggshall Park. Notably, Coggshall Park was established in 1894, marking a shared, 132-year legacy of community presence alongside the university's own founding year. We are proud to connect our students with local institutions and foster a strong sense of civic pride from their very first week on campus. 

Falcons giving back! One of our favorite orientation traditions is Falcon's Choice, where our newest students get to customize their day by picking two of four awesome activities: Tour De Fitchburg, Fitchburg in the Arts, Wellness, or a Service Project! For the Falcons who chose the Service Project, it was all about immediate impact. They rolled up their sleeves to pack hygiene and laundry kits for our on-campus food and necessity pantry, the Falcon Bazaar. Even better? Representatives from the local United Way, Habitat for Humanity, and Big Brothers Big Sisters were on hand to chat with students about how they can keep the volunteer spirit alive throughout their college careers.