The Bentley Buzz

Over the course of an average semester on a college campus, students experience a wide range of emotions as class assignments are due, internship deadlines approach, social circles change and professional developments are made. Those ups and downs can lead to added stress and anxiety, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. At Bentley, a number of support services are offered on campus to help students cope with stress and identify mechanisms to practice self-care.

In line with their mission to support Bentley’s core values, with a special focus on community engagement, University Police plays an important role in supporting student mental health. And for the past two years, the department has enlisted the help of a unique and important team member: Blue the comfort dog.

The two-and-a-half-year-old black lab first joined University Police in 2020 after completing six months of comfort-dog training at Hero Pups, Inc., a New Hampshire based non-profit that trains and pairs support dogs with veterans and first responders throughout New England. In his training, Blue learned how to be comfortable around strangers and large crowds and was trained to remain calm, approachable and social. Those skills have served him well in his two years on campus and has made him a resource to students in need of comfort or support. 
 

And while some on campus may want Blue to make his rounds alone, free for people to pet him and feed him treats, his handler Sergeant Tobe Bartkus in University Police helps to keep him focused and on task, while making his own impact on community safety and wellness on campus. A member of the Bentley community for close to six years, Sergeant Bartkus started in University Police as a dispatcher before being promoted to officer. Last month, he was promoted again to the rank of sergeant. 

In addition to his work making rounds on campus, as a member of University Police’s Crisis Intervention Unit, Sergeant Bartkus often responds to calls of students in need of medical or emotional assistance. “On college campuses over the past four to five years, there’s been a huge uptick in mental health needs and stress,” he said. And with the pandemic heightening that stress and anxiety, it was perfect timing to bring Blue into the fold. 

On a typical day, Blue makes rounds across campus with Sergeant Bartkus where he eagerly claims his spot riding shotgun in the cruiser. On every call that Sergeant Bartkus responds to, Blue diligently follows. Roaming campus with Blue has its perks, but it also plays an important role in increasing University Police’s visibility within the community as a safety and wellness resource. Students are ever eager to pet Blue, and in doing so, grow more comfortable and familiar with University Police. 

When he’s not on campus, Blue lives permanently with Sergeant Bartkus and his family, which includes a newborn and two other dogs. At home, Blue is high energy and playful, holding his own with his two furry companions. But when he puts on his University Police work vest, the canine professional is trained to immediately snap into work mode. “Once he has the vest, he knows it’s business time,” said Sergeant Bartkus.

For this comfort dog, that means being ready to interact with a high volume of students, something that would normally tire out an untrained dog. But thanks to his time with Hero Pups, Inc. and the guidance of Sergeant Bartkus, Blue always stays calm no matter how many students, faculty or staff come to pet him. 

Even at University Police headquarters, Blue remains a welcome addition to the team. “When officers respond to stressful calls on campus, they’re glad to return to the station to spend some time with Blue and give him a few treats,” said Sergeant Bartkus. 

In some cases, students reach out to University Police directly to request time with the department’s four-legged friend. Whether they’re homesick, missing their pet, feeling stressed or anxious or simply having a down day, Sergeant Bartkus and Blue have helped to comfort students on numerous occasions. And while those casual encounters are appreciated by students, Blue has also been known to help those experiencing a panic attack or anxiety to catch their breath and become calm again, sometimes even escorting them with Sergeant Bartkus to the Counseling Center.  

“Sometimes we get calls about students experiencing a panic attack for the first time in their life,” said Sergeant Bartkus. “So Blue and I pay them a visit to bring them to the Health Center or Counseling Center to talk to someone. I always say that ‘We’re the first responder, not the last responder.’ Walking with Blue really takes their mind off how they’re feeling and keeps them calm as we get them to the assistance they need.” 

Sergeant Bartkus always checks with students first that they’re comfortable around dogs before bringing Blue to a responding call. For those who are, Sergeant Bartkus finds that petting Blue and simply being around the comfort dog has a positive effect on the student in that moment. “I can distract students from how they’re feeling for a brief time, but Blue helps to really take their mind off of what’s triggering their anxiety,” he said.

In just two years on campus, Blue has already developed quite a following. On an average day, 50 to 100 students will pet him. As University Police prepares for Blue’s third birthday this October, the department is looking forward to the many ways that he and Sergeant Bartkus can continue to have a positive impact on the community.

On April 29, University Police, the Relationship Sexual Violence Prevention Educators (RSVPs) and Bentley's community partner from REACH Beyond Domestic Violence came together for the first “26.2 Teal and Blue Relay” on campus. Made up of 35 laps around Circle Road, the 26.2-mile relay was completed in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, which happens annually in April.

The walkers wore teal shirts, the color of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, as they made their laps around campus greeting students, connecting over shared interests and goals, and spreading awareness along the way. “I remain proud of our community and how we all continue to work together in different ways to address matters that are not always easy to talk about,” said University Police Chief and event co-organizer Frank Bourgeois.

The idea for the inaugural relay originated from a monthly mental and physical health event hosted by University Police, who then connected with Director of Wellness and Prevention and co-organizer Jessica Greher Traue and the RSVP team. “Although our work differs, University Police and the RSVPs contribute to prevention and response efforts year-round,” said Jessica. “We are united in our commitment to building a healthy campus culture, and we look forward to expanding this event next year.”

The relay concluded with a cookout for the walkers in the LaCava tent. Students have already expressed interest in joining the relay next year in support of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

Bentley now accepts cryptocurrency for tuition payments, becoming one of the first universities in the country to offer students this new digital option. The move highlights Bentley’s long-standing commitment to leading the way in the early adoption of technologies changing the business world. 

The university is partnering with the crypto exchange Coinbase to accept three cryptocurrencies — Bitcoin, Ethereum and the stablecoin USD Coin — giving students and their families new ways to pay their tuition. Bentley is also planning to accept gifts and donations in Bitcoin, Ethereum and USD Coin.

Read More

Chase Davies ’22 Breaks Own School Record During Stonehill Invitational
Senior Chase Davies broke Bentley's record in the women's 100- meter hurdles for the third time this spring at the Stonehill Invitational.

Six Tennis Players Placed on Northeast-10 All-Conference Teams
Six student-athletes from the Bentley men's tennis team earned places on the Northeast-10 All-Conference teams this spring. 

Ethan Roswell Named Joe Tomasello Unsung Hero Award Winner
Bentley defenseman Ethan Roswell was named the 2022 Joe Tomasello Unsung Hero Award winner by the New England Hockey Writers Association.

Seven Lacrosse Players Named to the Northeast-10 All-Conference Teams
Seven players from Bentley's men's lacrosse team were named to the Northeast-10 All-Conference teams.

Commencement is just over two weeks away, and the entire Bentley community is excited to celebrate the undergraduate and graduate classes of 2022. One of the most important events in the life of a student, Commencement represents the culmination of years of hard work and growth. Sign up to help make this special event — the first on campus in three years — a success! From helping students with their caps and gowns to guiding guests and families to their seats, there is no shortage of ways that you can help make a big difference. 

Volunteer for Commencement

For the first time in two years, the Office of Sustainability is excited to bring back the Give 'N Go program, a sustainable move-out initiative where students can donate items they don't want to take with them as they return home for the summer. The program was first launched in 2010 by a group of residential students who were concerned about usable goods piled into dumpsters every spring at move out. In past years, Give 'N Go collected 24,460 pounds of reusable goods over five days! 

This year, Give 'N Go drop-off locations will be open on May 10, 11, 12 and 14, and the Office of Sustainability could use the help of faculty and staff volunteers. Spots are still open to help make this sustainability initiative a success! Learn more about Give 'N Go at Bentley.

Sign Up for a Time Slot