Student Abducted on Campus. Students, Faculty Not Notified.
A student was abducted from the college parking garage last November, and the college didn’t notify students and faculty about it. “I got emails about [a] suicide and deaths but I didn’t hear anything about a abduction,” said Fallon Cryslar, freshman Individual Studies. Jeremiah Ortiz, senior Individual Studies said, “[T]his is the first time I’m hearing of it… I haven’t been notified.” Barbara Balinda, senior Individual Studies said, “I don’t remember seeing or hearing anything [about it].” Andrew Schott, a professor in the History, Philosophy and Social Science Dept. said, “This is the first I’ve heard of this.”
According to the summary of a HVCC Public Safety report and a story on WTEN that aired on March 7, a student was abducted on Nov. 18 from the fifth floor of the HVCC parking garage by her ex-boyfriend, Nicholas Harrington. The student managed to escape while Harrington was arrested later that day by the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Dept. and was charged with attempted kidnapping. After being released on probation March 2 from the Rensselaer County Jail, Harrington cut off his electronic monitoring bracelet and attempted to purchase a weapon. According to a press release from the Sheriff’s Dept., Harrington threatened to hurt himself and others, and is considered to be dangerous. As of this publication date, the Sheriff’s Dept. is currently looking for any information regarding the whereabouts of Harrington.
Hudsonian staff contacted Fred Aliberti, the college’s Director of Public Safety, for any comments about the incident. However, they were referred to the college’s Executive Director of Communications and Marketing, Dennis Kennedy. “As far as we knew, this was an off campus incident,” said Kennedy. “The college was notified of this incident on Nov. 21 by the mother of the HVCC student,” said Kennedy. “Upon finding out about this, the college cooperated fully with the Rensselaer County Sheriff.”
Kennedy said that by the time the college had found out aboutthe incident, it was already settled and the fact that Harrington’s arrest took place off campus were reasons why there were no notifications to students and faculty about the incident. “I think [the college] should certainly have notified students,” said Justin Moran, senior Liberal Arts. “If they consider something like the death of a student racing through heavy traffic on a [motorcycle] to be worth highlighting, then certainly something like this, which calls into question the safety of ourstudent body, is well worth alerting.” Mohammed Hossain, freshman Individual Studies said, “Of course we should have been notified. It’s so important, my life is at risk.”
The Hudsonian tried to contact College President, Drew Matonak for comment on this incident; however, the President was unable to be reached before the issue was sent out for publication Monday.
The Sheriff’s Office is asking those who might have any information on the whereabouts of Harrington to call 270-5252.