President Wippman’s Writings & Remarks

Update on arrest made in April 16 incident

April 17, 2023

Tags Public Statements

Dear Hamilton Community Members,

I write to you today knowing how stressful the last 24 hours have been for our community after a threat of violence was posted on social media yesterday. I am extremely grateful that the threat did not materialize into something more, and I am thankful to everyone who was involved in the emergency response. Community members on campus took the alerts seriously, just as you should do. The Hamilton Emergency Response Team (HERT) quickly took action, as did the law enforcement agencies that came to campus in support of our safety. Even with no ongoing threat to our community, I know that each of us will process this differently. Resources will continue to be available to all students, faculty and staff.

For students:

• Counseling Center
• Student Support care team in the Dean of Students Office
• Individual appointments with members of the Chaplaincy:
  • Jenn Ferman, Jewish chaplain
  • Saorsa Wissman, Interfaith program coordinator
  • Jeff McArn, College chaplain
• 24/7 tele-counseling (Call 315-859-4340 and press option 2)
• Off-campus counseling (Call 1-800-273-TALK or text “START” to 741-741)

For members of faculty and staff:

• Confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• A representative from Bridges will be in Spencer House tomorrow from noon to 3 p.m. for counseling sessions.

Around noon today the New York State Police released information regarding the arrest of a Hamilton student who has been accused of making a threat of mass harm. Consistent with our policy and practice, the student has been placed on interim suspension pending a full hearing in the near future. Interim suspension includes a restriction from all campus property and events. The police reported that he will face a hearing in court next month. The NYS statement also confirmed that during the incident response, troopers along with members from Hamilton College Campus Safety, Kirkland Police Department, Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, and the FBI conducted a thorough search of several campus buildings and determined there was no active threat to students or staff.

Please continue to take care of yourself and one another. Regardless of our roles as students, faculty and staff, we are one community.

David