Mary-Beth Cooper
Springfield College President
Welcome back to campus for the new academic year! I hope that each of you enjoyed a summer filled with relaxation and new experiences. For me, I was able to travel with our men’s basketball team to Japan for a series of friendship games and events. While overseas, I also had the opportunity to go to China to connect with alumni and friends of Springfield College, renew our partnerships, and work on what may be ahead for our future.
Those of you returning to campus may have noticed a few changes as well as many new faces. Alumni Hall has had a facelift with bathroom renovations, a new roof, new hallway carpets, repainted rooms and doors, new hallway ceilings and lights, and water bottle fillers. The medical simulation lab in Blake Hall has also been renovated and expanded, allowing for greater and improved access and use by our students.
Safety continues to be the highest priority of Springfield College. The College continues to improve on safety measures for the campus community. One major focus has been an upgrade to our emergency notification system. New system software will allow our Department of Public Safety to notify the campus community of an emergency. This upgraded system will facilitate faster notification and allow anonymous tip reporting via text to the Department of Public Safety.
If you haven’t done so already, please take the time now to log into your Springfield College Alert Account and update your information. Your log in information is your current PrideNET username and password. It is very important that Springfield College has the ability to contact you with critical information in the event of an emergency. If you have questions about the new emergency notification system, please contact the Technology Solution Center at 413-748-4872.
You may also have noticed that two of our main crosswalks on Alden Street, at Babson Library and in front of the PE Complex, are now equipped with audio alerts. These audible signals will assist our visually impaired students, staff, and community members in knowing when to cross the street.
I’d like to offer a special welcome to the newest members of the Springfield College Community — the Class of 2018. This new group of students brings a diverse assortment of experiences and ideas that will enrich life on our campus. The people are what make Springfield College special and that includes you. We are all striving for your success, growth and development. We want this college to be a platform for you to be the best you can be. If you need help with anything, just ask. Our Academic Success Center, Counseling Center and Spiritual Life Center are just a few of the resources available to you on campus. We are here to serve and stand ready to help you succeed.
If I could offer any advice, I would encourage you to get involved – explore new ideas and activities and take advantage of our many leadership development opportunities. Remember to take the time to get to know the person sitting next to you in class and extend a “hello” as you travel through campus. It’s a tradition here and one that surely can make the world a better place!
Best wishes for a great year. I look forward to seeing you on campus.