Mayor Rita Frealing Visits Campus, Addresses Student Concerns
Students talking to Gettysburg Mayor Rita Frealing in CUB. (Brandon Fey/The Gettysburgian)
By Brandon Fey, News Editor
Gettysburg Mayor Rita Frealing visited campus on Friday, Nov. 8 to hold a “Cookies and Conversation” table in the Bullet Hole section of the CUB between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Students and staff were encouraged to introduce themselves and share any questions or concerns they had about the greater community.
Several students used the mayor’s visit as an opportunity to voice a particular concern regarding Borough policing on campus.
“The students have been very respectful as they told me their concerns,” said Mayor Frealing. “They told me their concern about policing, and it’s being addressed.”
Some students also offered to personally assist with government projects in the Borough on behalf of the College.
“A lot of people wanted to volunteer. They came up and asked how they can work within the community to improve relations. I think that says a lot about the quality of the students here,” Frealing said.
Mayor Frealing has made a point of visiting campus more frequently to further develop relations with the College.
“I think there should be more interaction with the students and the town, and that’s one of the reasons why I come here. It’s easier for me to come and meet with students than students coming to my office,” she said.
She believes that the College greatly contributes to the Gettysburg Community, making it important to maintain a good relationship.
“I grew up in Gettysburg, so this College has been a part of my life for a long time,” she stated. “It brings a lot of culture to the community, and it also brings a lot of new people with new ideas.”
Mayor Frealing offered a message for Gettysburg College students to take advantage of their greater community: “You’re part of the community. Like I say at the annual First-Year Walk, ‘Welcome to Gettysburg, enjoy it.’ If you need anything, please let me know.”
November 8, 2024
Concerned about policing? Want more or less? More would be consistent with salving ongoing student expressions of fear for their safety. Fear each other or fear outsiders? Lot of inconsistencies of logic in play.