1:
Is the physical search for Nick Garza over?
A:
The Vermont State Police Search and Rescue Team has completed a thorough search of campus, which has produced no sign of Nick. The College's Office of Facilities Services has done a complete search of buildings and is conducting a second round. If needed, the Middlebury Police will request additional help from the State Police Search and Rescue group to search the campus again after the snow pack melts.
2:
Who is in charge of the investigation?
A:
The missing persons investigation is being conducted by the Middlebury Police Department with cooperation from the Middlebury College Department of Public Safety.
3:
What is the status of the police investigation?
A:
The police continue to pursue every possible lead. They are focusing their work on trying to determine what happened on the night of Nick's disappearance. They are interviewing students and anyone else who may have information that could be helpful.
4:
What resources are available to support students?
A:
5:
What can I do to help?
A:
- If you know of any information that could possibly assist investigators, please contact the Middlebury Police Department at 802-388-3191 or the College's Department of Public Safety at 802-443-5911.
- Help with posters. The College's Alliance for Civic Engagement office in McCullough Hall is distributing posters seeking information on Nick's whereabouts. If you wish to help with this effort, contact the ACE office at 802-443-3212.
- Contribute to the fund set up to assist Natalie Garza with expenses incurred as a result of the search. Checks can be made out to Garza Family Fund and mailed to: Natalie Garza, c/o Margaret Falcone, 8444 Vista Verde, Albuquerque NM 87120. If you have any questions about this fund, you may contact Margaret Falcone at (505) 620-4575.
- Visit the Web site set up by the family of Nicholas Garza to assist with the search: http://www.nicholasgarza.org.
- Keep your eyes and ears open for any possible information that may help investigators.
- Maintain your own safety by making good choices for yourself, and encourage friends to do the same. This will allow Public Safety to direct their efforts toward finding Nick.
6:
What are the College's campus safety measures?
A:
The College operates a professionally staffed Department of Public Safety, which is the hub of our safety efforts. The department's regular patrols include checks of the first-year residence halls as well as patrols on foot and in vehicles of many other areas on campus. Emergency phones are located throughout campus, in parking lots, and at the entrance of each residence hall. Public Safety also operates Midd Rides, an evening transportation service that provides free rides to students throughout campus and into town. The service operates every night during the academic year when classes are in session. We also work throughout the year to provide educational programming and materials to students to help them to take responsibility for their personal health, wellness and safety, and we provide additional training to our residential life staff. More information about safety programs is available online at:
http://www.middlebury.edu/administration/publicsafety/
7:
How has the College prepared for emergencies?
A:
The college does extensive planning and training for emergencies. Three things may be especially helpful to note here:
- The College has an Alert Find messaging system that enables College officials to quickly track down members of the campus community by room phone, cell phone, email, and text messaging. The system tries each option with each person until it receives confirmation that the person has received the message.
- The College has an emergency preparedness steering committee that has developed and implemented the emergency planning system.
- The College has an emergency response Web site, which is linked from the College home page and includes emergency protocols and other information for college employees and students. The emergency response site can be found at this link: http://www.middlebury.edu/administration/publicsafety/er/
8:
What should I say if the media contact me for an interview?
A:
The news media are interested in following this situation and have so far been respectful of students' privacy.
Some students have asked about what to do if they are contacted by the media about Nick Garza. Students are welcome to speak with whomever they wish, but should keep in mind the following:
- You are never required to speak with the media. Most times, telling a reporter "No thank you" will suffice.
- If a reporter is making you uncomfortable, just walk away and do not feel guilty about doing so.
- Don't speculate about things for which you have no first-hand knowledge.
- Contact the Public Affairs Office at 802-443-5794 if you have further questions about speaking with the media.
- Consider the possibility that your comments may be posted online at that organization’s web site, and as such may be retrieved in Web searches for your name.