Grand Valley State University’s Board of Trustees welcomed GVPD Chief Daniel Lindstrom to their meeting Friday to speak on his first three months at the University. 

Lindstrom addressed numerous campus concerns while commending his department’s recent work. Board members also addressed the current political climate and unease facing many international students, while students questioned GVPD’s efforts to protect minority community members in public comment. 

“Chief Lindstrom has quickly demonstrated his expertise in leading our public safety department,” said President Philomena Mantella.

Lindstrom, a former detective with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, shared his goals in his shift to leading a university police department.

“My mission is to create an environment that’s safe, welcoming and supportive,” Lindstrom said. “One that protects people and property, that collaborates with partners and builds a trust-oriented service-dedicated team.”

Lindstrom recognized numerous controversies and political strife the University and country are dealing with, and acknowledged some students aren’t comfortable with police. Through meeting with students, Lindstrom hopes to build a sense of trust at GVSU. He has met with the Student Senate and Muslim Students Association, alongside numerous other campus organizations.

“(I have met with) as many different student groups as possible to work directly with them (for) direct feedback on what is important to the students,” Lindstrom said.

Addressing the board, Lindstrom also highlighted what he feels is a shortage of public safety officers at GVSU. Sociology Professor Amanda Buday backed this concern during public comment.

“All officers are working mandatory overtime at 50-60 hours a week,” Buday said. “There are often only one or two officers responding to gatherings of 100-200 students. Our student-to-officer ratio is twice the state average.”

The start of Lindstrom’s tenure coincided with the welcoming of the most diverse class in school history. At the same time, increased ICE presence and changes to federal policy threaten many of these students. This has raised concern for some over how GVPD will adequately represent and serve students from all backgrounds.

“We know the current landscape has created some concerns there,” said B. Donta Truss, vice president for Enrollment Development and College Futures.

During the meeting’s public comment section, Ryan Tenace, a member of the University’s chapter of Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA), brought up concerns related to international students.

“Last year, four GVSU students, international students, had their visas revoked as a consequence of overtly xenophobic and fascistic government overreach,” Tenace said. “GVSU extensively promotes cultural festivities and study abroad programs while doing precisely nothing to protect the international students that so enliven campus.”

YDSA Co-Chair River Koehler also shared concerns over a lack of protection for LGBTQ+ students on campus, referencing restrictions on transgender women competing in NCAA sports, and deals between the Trump administration and Ivy League universities. 

“As of now, you have given students no reason to believe we will be any safer here,” Koehler said. 

Koehler also cited the University’s response to an incident in which Ottawa County Commissioner Joe Moss brought a concealed firearm to campus during an anti-trans Turning Point USA event, despite policy. To Koehler, GVPD response has brought unease to queer students. The incident happened under then-interim Chief Leah Heaton, but has raised questions over how GVPD would handle potential future incidents.

“(This) frightened many of our community members,” Koehler said. “He (Moss) was not even escorted off campus by GVPD, but allowed to leave by himself. The very real fear felt by trans people on this campus was never publicly addressed by the University.”

Lindstrom has already been known to enforce swift and exacting policy changes. Following a stabbing on campus, GVPD enacted numerous restrictions on parking and visitors in dormitories.