GCC increases security after alleged threat by student

The lobby of Greenfield Community College.

The lobby of Greenfield Community College. STAFF FILE PHOTO/PAUL FRANZ

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

Staff Writer

Published: 03-05-2025 6:01 AM

Modified: 03-05-2025 12:17 PM


GREENFIELD — Greenfield Community College has increased the number of public safety officers patrolling its campus as the administration investigates reported threats made by a student to a faculty member on Friday.

GCC President Michelle Schutt announced the alleged threat, as well as the college’s enhanced security measures, in an email sent to students on Monday. Schutt assured students that the college has “no reason to believe there is an ongoing threat” to GCC students and faculty.

“Please know that the college takes threats extremely seriously as the safety of our students, staff and faculty is our very top priority,” Schutt wrote. “That same day we ensured that the individual who made the reported threatening comments was no longer on campus, and we are in communication with and addressing the concerns of the impacted class and faculty.”

According to Dean of Students Shelley Nicholson, campus police was called to the classroom to “help with the situation.” Nicholson said the college would increase the number of public safety officers on patrol of the campus and heighten their visibility. She also noted that the enhanced security measures are mainly being done out of an abundance of caution.

“We had an incident in a classroom on Friday morning where a student spoke in a way that was threatening to a faculty member and immediately the college responded to that in the appropriate way,” Nicholson said. “There was no actual act of violence or anything of that nature, but because of the threat, we have enhanced our security and our presence to make everybody feel safe and secure while they’re on campus.”

Nicholson said she expects the heightened security to last until next week at the earliest, noting that the college is ultimately willing to maintain its increased patrol until students and faculty feel safe. She said she could not disclose any details of the incident, as it remains part of an active internal investigation, including if the student had been expelled as a result of this incident.

Schutt, in her letter, reminded students that campus police escorts are available to students, staff and faculty at all times by calling 413-775-1212. She noted that GCC counseling services are also available by emailing counselingservices@gcc.mass.edu.

“Although we have that increased security at this point, we really don’t expect there’s going to be an issue,” Nicholson said. “There’s been nothing out of the ordinary other than that one particular incident. I think we are being overcautious on purpose.”

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Anthony Cammalleri can be reached at acammalleri@recorder.com or 413-930-4429.