Campus Safety Incident

Posted by Zoe Baillargeon in Campus

Police tape lines a shower stall in a campus bathroom where recently an unidentified male gained access and exposed himself to a female student. Photo Illustration by Luke E. Montavon/The Jackalope

On Oct. 2, an unidentified male gained access to one of SFUAD’s on-campus dormitories, exposed himself to a showering female student, and then pursued her to her room, where she was forced to almost slam his hand in the door to prevent him from entering.

A male student was arrested a few days after the incident and charged with indecent exposure. Charges against this student were later dropped and he was allowed back on campus as of Oct. 14.

The same day, a second suspect was spotted by the victim, and described in an email from Student Life Director Laura Nunnelly to the campus community as “a Hispanic male, approximately 6’2” with light brown facial hair, thinning brown hair, frameless glasses…wearing a blue long-sleeved shirt, white basketball shorts with a green stripe, and white tennis shoes.”

The incident, the first of its kind reported on campus since 2011, has shocked SFUAD students, faculty and administration, with many questioning what security measures should have been taken beforehand to prevent the assault.

In the hopes of quelling some of the campus-wide rumors and concerns, the female student involved agreed to an anonymous interview with Jackalope.

“It’s been stressful,” she says. “It’s very hard for me but I’m trying to figure everything out.”

The interview took place shortly after the female student witnessed the suspect trying to access the dormitory on the morning of Oct. 14.

“He looked really suspicious, he was just walking around, and it was at the same time (as the incident) this morning, at 8 o’clock,” says the student, clearly shaken and upset over the recent sighting. “I feel paranoid as hell. I carry pepper spray, a rape whistle, and a knife in my purse at all times.”

When asked how she felt SFUAD administration had handled the incident, the student responded positively. “I feel really good about it, they’re doing a really good job, and they made me feel comfortable about the whole situation. They call me every day to see how I’m doing, security walks through my hall every hour, they have cameras in the hall now, and the door (the attacker entered through) cannot be opened.”

The student says she feels “safe,” but “at night it’s really uncomfortable for me, I don’t walk anywhere, I drive everywhere.”

Nunnelly also discussed with Jackalope security measures on campus, some of which were implemented before the incident, such as monitoring cars at the entrance to campus, as well as steps students can take to keep themselves safe.

“We’re looking into putting in security cameras outside the residence halls, and we’re also asking students to be proactive,” Nunnelly says. “Please don’t prop doors, watch who you let into the residence halls, and if you see anyone suspicious, report it.”

Rachel Shuford, head of Student Voice, also urged student safety and increased security around campus.

“I have come to the realization that security NEEDS to be a higher class and needs to have more power on campus,” Shuford says in an email interview.

Shuford also assured the student body that “the proper precautions are being taken, and the administration is doing their best to make sure that students can feel comfortable on campus again.”

While the situation continues to unfold regarding the initial Oct. 2 attack, the victim of that attack asks the SFUAD student body to respect her privacy during this time, as well as increased vigilance around campus.

“Please don’t prop any doors, because that’s how the guy got into my hall. Please do not spread rumors or talk about the incident if you did not hear it from me directly, because that in itself causes me a lot of stress. I want everyone to be safe and just know that it is being taken care of. Thank you all for the support, I appreciate it.”