Recently the Boston Globe covered the dismal if not pathetic state of sports in the Boston Public Schools system. On June 24, Part Four of the series was published under the headline, ‘Ill-equipped to compete.’ Staff writer Bob Hohler reveals, ‘there is only one trainer for thousands of student-athletes in 18 high schools scattered over nearly 50 square miles of the city.’ The sole trainer, Flo Russo, operates out of the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center, less than half a mile from Northeastern. As the only athletic trainer and without a full-time assistant for 18 Boston high schools, it is near impossible for her to see even a fraction of the injured student athletes. Hohler writes ‘the city’s athletic director, Ken Still, is working with Boston University to try to enlist more trainers through a grant program.’
Perhaps Northeastern’s Athletic Training (AT) program could help alleviate the city’s dire need for athletic trainers through co-op positions? Oh, that’s right, the university Faculty Senate voted to suspend admissions for the undergraduate AT program in November 2008. Northeastern University has always prided itself on the role that it should play in our community. It is quite unfortunate and disappointing that the university is missing an opportunity to help our neighbors and the residents of Boston because they felt like cutting the AT program was the ‘right decision.’ Well, now student-athletes across the city are literally suffering while future AT undergraduate students no longer consider attending Northeastern.
The negative consequences this has on the city’s student-athletes are echoing across the city and will continue to linger from this university decision. But what consequences may follow if the university alters the College of Criminal Justice (CCJ)? What effect will that decision have on the community? These are just questions, but important questions to consider nonetheless. The point is, the university has already made one grand mistake and is missing a major opportunity to help the city’s student-athletes. Moving the College of Criminal Justice into another college may very well be the next major mistake this university makes. That mistake could include a whole other set of negative consequences for Boston residents. And that is a series of Globe articles that I don’t want to see.’ ‘ ‘
In the wake of the College Structure Committee’s report, criminal justice students, alumni and faculty anxiously await a recommendation. The report offers six pages of arguments for keeping the College of Criminal Justice as it is, compared to a one-page argument for moving CCJ into a successor college. The report also notes the overwhelming response and uniform support from CCJ students, alumni and parents in maintaining the status quo.
As President of the Criminal Justice Student Advisory Council (CJSAC), the undergraduate criminal justice student representative body, I would like to thank all those who have contributed their time, thoughts and input. As we await a recommendation, it is important to note this process is still not over. Do not let up in your efforts to bring forth discussion and do not cease in sharing your opinions. The future of the College of Criminal Justice is still at stake and the fight to save our college is far from over.

‘- Darren Costa is a middler criminal justice major, Student Government Association senator and president of CJSAC.