GVPD cracks down amid crime wave, drawing ire
Grand Valley State University’s Department of Public Safety enacted extensive new policies Thursday, Sept. 4 amid an unprecedented level of on-campus crime, including a stabbing and vehicle thefts. While students have expressed concern over campus safety, the guidelines have also drawn confusion from members of the GVSU community.
Most of the car thefts, as well as the stabbing, stem from non-students coming to campus. The suspect in the stabbing, while still not located, was not a student. Concerned over visitors staying past the established two-night limit and becoming involved in such incidents, GVPD cracked down with updated guidelines
To read more about the policies, click here.
Controversial artwork reinstalled in Provost’s Office, moved to storage
A controversial painting purchased by Grand Valley State University is back in the limelight after being reinstalled in the Office of the Provost before being moved to storage.
The piece, “Pétalos de Cambio” by alumna Irlanda Beltran, had already been taken down during the Winter 2025 semester from the Russel H. Kirkhof Center, following protest by students who voiced they were offended by the piece. The painting in question features a depiction of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a Catholic apparition of the Virgin Mary, which some have considered blasphemous, and discussion of gender-based violence, gun control and homophobia.
Since the painting was originally removed, it was hung in the Office of the Provost, which faced displeasure from some students and community members. “Pétalos de Cambio” has since been moved back to GVSU Art Museum storage. Numerous faculty members and administrators were contacted by the Lanthorn, including Provost Jennifer Drake and the Art Museum. All inquiries were deferred to University Communications, including a photographer who requested to see the painting.
To read more about the installation of this painting, click here.
GV student among 4 killed, 2 injured in US-131 crash
Two Grand Valley State University freshmen were involved in a car accident Sunday, Nov. 2 that resulted in four deaths and left two others injured.
An email sent to residents of Kirkpatrick Living Center Monday, Nov. 3, which was obtained by the Lanthorn, notified that two of the building’s residents were involved in the accident, resulting in the death of freshman Marcell Oliver. His roommate, Amir Hicks, is currently recovering from surgery.
The crash occurred at 1 a.m. Nov. 2 in Wayland Township when a vehicle made a U-turn at the entrance of the US-131 on-ramp, heading southbound in the northbound lanes, before colliding head-on with the other vehicle.
Oliver, 18-year old driver Emmanuel Browning and 38-year-old Erin Louise Jones, at-fault driver of the other vehicle, died at the scene. 17-year old Alayiah Lazzara, a Portage Northern High School student, died from her injuries overnight. Hicks and one other passenger were seriously injured.
Oliver was majoring in sports management with the goal of becoming an agent or recruiter. He graduated from Jackson High School in May, where a memorial was held Thursday, Nov. 6.
GVPD reports “Halloweekend” incidents
Several incidents were reported to Grand Valley Police Department throughout Halloween weekend.
According to the GVPD Weekly Incident Log, over 40 calls were made between Friday, Oct. 31 and Saturday, Nov. 1, including reports of larceny, suspicious persons, narcotics possession, intoxicated individuals and a stolen vehicle. The incidents occurred across multiple residential areas, such as Calder Drive, Residence Court and Laker Village Drive.
Assistant Director of Public Safety, Captain Leah Heaton, explained that call numbers have overall been higher than average this year, so while GVPD experienced a high frequency in calls, the reports made during Halloween weekend remained consistent with this year’s rate of incidents.
“Our call numbers have been higher than average for this year, but Halloween was no anomaly,” stated Heaton.
Read more about Halloweekend incidents here.
Lindstrom talks first semester as police chief, FBI career
With the fall semester coming to a close, the Department of Public Safety’s Chief Daniel Lindstrom sat down with the Lanthorn to reflect on what led him from the FBI to GVSU, and his first three months in the role.
For Lindstrom, this fall has presented unique rewards and challenges. Ultimately, he says he is happy to be here, and has enjoyed collaborative efforts between his department and other University officials.
Lindstrom’s path to GVSU started with 22 years in the FBI, during which he served in numerous positions across the country and globe. During this time, Lindstrom led the FBI’s campus security program, a post that primed him for further university work. In this role, he oversaw roughly 160 agents across the country and coordinated security at major events.
Read more about Lindstrom here.
Salary book unveils top administrative earnings in 2025
Grand Valley State University recently released a salary book for the 2025 academic year, detailing the salaries of each full-time and part-time faculty and staff member. The nine highest paid faculty members made over $300,000 and fall under executive and administrative job titles.
The salary book lists the employee type, along with their title, department, degree, hire date and salary, however it does not provide the names of staff members in the document. Seven of the 10 highest paid positions fall under the title of vice president within the Office of the President, with the exception of the University president and deans of the College of Computing and Seidman College of Business.
The highest paid faculty member is President Philomena Mantella, who’s making $533,025 this academic year. Mantella, under contract until 2029, received a 4.2% raise in 2024 and another 6% increase this past year.
To read more about administrative pay, click here.
Mantella’s pay underreported by $37,500 in 2024 salary book
A processing error during a software transition led to Grand Valley State University President Philomena Mantella’s salary being incorrectly reported in 2024.
The University’s salary book for the 2024 academic year was published in November 2024. The document should have marked Mantella’s salary $517,500, but a processing error failed to account for raises, instead listing the number as $480,000. Administrators say the discrepancy is the result of the University’s account system switching to Workday.
The originally listed amount conflicted with many news articles that reported the 2024 salary as $500,000. An email to the President’s Office was sent Dec. 16, 2025, asking for clarification. The following day, the book was updated, displaying the salary as $517,500.
Mantella was hired as GVSU’s fifth president in 2019. In accordance with Mantella’s contract, her salary was $480,000 upon hiring. In 2022, the contract was amended to extend her term from 2024 to 2029. This amendment also included a raise to $500,000, effective July 1, 2024. The raise was noted in a GVNext article.
To read more about Mantella’s salary, click here.
Student hit by Parking Services, citation issued
The Grand Valley Department of Public Safety says a female student is in stable condition after being struck by a Parking Services truck on South Campus Thursday, Feb. 12. A citation was issued to the driver for failing to yield to a pedestrian.
A student was hit by a Parking Services vehicle while crossing the street. The incident occurred while the student was crossing Calder Drive in front of the Niemeyer Living Center just after 5 p.m.
GVPD Assistant Director of Public Safety Leah Heaton addressed the incident in a statement provided to the Lanthorn.
“A Grand Valley student was injured after being struck by a GVSU Parking Services vehicle,” Heaton said. “The student was taken to the hospital, where she was listed in stable condition.”
Witness and student Carson Smith was walking to his car when the incident took place. Stationed behind the Parking Services vehicle, he heard the incident occur.
“There was a lot of screaming and crying,” said Smith. “It was horrible. I was very concerned about the person.”
To read more, click here.
Several public records requests mishandled by GV since December
Grand Valley State University has failed to follow Michigan’s public records law in multiple instances dating back to mid-December.
The Michigan Freedom of Information Act of 1972 (FOIA) ensures access to records of public bodies upon request, barring some exemptions. A response may either deny the request, grant it partially or fully, or request an extension of no more than 10 days. Initial responses are required within five business days, a time frame the University’s General Counsel has failed to adhere to when it’s come to several Lanthorn staffers’ requests.
Multiple public records requests were sent by various Lanthorn writers and editors during December. One was ignored, while another received an extension request and was never fulfilled. A third said no such document could be found, with the office not responding to followup communication about the denial.
To read more, click here.
GV abruptly cuts retirement healthcare benefit, outraging faculty
Grand Valley State University has cut a retirement healthcare benefit, affecting employees hired before 2014 who have retired before the age of 65. The decision has caused significant backlash from several faculty members.
The Retiree Medical Program provided access to the University’s group health insurance plan following retirement until the age of 65, when participants become eligible for Medicare. GVSU also previously offered contributions up to $150 a month for the retiree’s coverage and up to $125 a month for the retiree’s spouse’s coverage. Retirees covered remaining monthly costs. A smaller plan offered up to $90 of coverage for retirees over the age of 65 who use Medicare.
The GVSU Human Resources Department sent an email to eligible faculty Friday, Feb. 6, announcing the changes. Under the section ‘What is Changing,’ a statement read, “GVSU is transitioning the administration of our Retiree Medical Program to ensure long-term stability.” The Retiree Medical Program ended 12 years ago, but those hired before then were still eligible, until now.
In place of the Retiree Medical Program, the University is offering a one-time, lump sum payment or twice-a-year annuity payment plan. The payments are meant to cover what retired faculty would have been paid from the plan, but there is concern over how the payments are calculated.
To read more, click here.
Faculty pens letter to Board of Trustees voicing discontent
Faculty members delivered an open letter to Grand Valley State University’s Board of Trustees Friday, March 6. The letter, signed by hundreds of students, faculty and staff, voiced dissatisfaction over certain University initiatives, and what many deem a lack of communication between shared governance bodies.
The letter highlights two major decisions — Omni and Blue Dot —that many faculty members feel they were not properly consulted on. The group that authored the letter does not represent any established faculty organization.
No faculty members who participated in the drafting of the letter were willing to be named in this article out of fear of retaliation.
“GVSU has a long tradition of effective collaboration between its leaders and constituents, which we have sincerely tried to maintain over the last few years,” reads the open letter. “However, we have been repeatedly disregarded and believe that we have no choice but to reluctantly bring our concerns forward in this public forum to try to effectuate change.”
Omni, the University’s statewide initiative for online adult learners launched in 2024. The program is offered in the form of hybrid courses throughout the state of Michigan, and is based in a partnership with regional campuses and community colleges to create a network for higher education. Numerous faculty expressed concerns over the level of involvement they would have in the program.
To read more, click here.
Reach higher, with fewer? GV eliminates key roles in consolidation efforts
Grand Valley State University has abruptly eliminated four administrative staff positions within the Tutoring and Reading Center and Art Museum, and reorganized numerous other programs. The decision was announced Monday, March 23, as part of a broader “restructuring” effort by the provost.
The plan detailed in the Monday update will consolidate 18 programs into two newly created “centers.” Further, five student support services and the Art Museum will be absorbed into University Libraries. Each service now under University Libraries will remain in its original location.
According to Academic Affairs, the decision was made to align resources with GVSU’s current strategic plan to “best meet the needs of students.” Some faculty members and student staff were confounded by the sudden announcement.
The four staff members from the Tutoring and Reading Center and Art Museum were notified March 19. Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Jennifer Drake laid out the restructuring plan at a University Academic Senate meeting the next day, and a wider update was issued the following Monday.
To read more, click here.
GV students, faculty walk out over environmental concerns
Grand Valley State University students and faculty staged a walkout Thursday, April 9 in response to what some claim a lack of sustainability and climate awareness in the University’s latest strategic plan. The walkout at the Cook Carillon Tower was also in response to GVSU’s increasing adoption of artificial intelligence technologies.
The protest was organized by students taking ENS: 380 Critical Hope and Climate Action, who are calling for the University to emphasize sustainability in future planning. While praising sustainability efforts already in place, many walkout attendees believe there is much room for improvement and an increasing need to fund environmental programs. Attendees demanded that environmental awareness become a core component of Reach Higher Together, the University’s strategic framework approved in February.
To read more, click here.
