Two assaults and attempted sexual assaults occurred on campus this past weekend. The incidents occurred within a 24-hour period, the first on Saturday morning around 1:20 a.m. near the Interpretive Center, and the second on Sunday at 8:30 p.m. between Olin Hall and the Fine Arts Building. In both instances the assailant was a white male college-age, described as being 5’10” tall with a medium build. In the second attack, the male was wearing a Gustavus sweatshirt. It is not known whether the assailant was the same individual in both instances.
Though the identity of the survivors is to remain anonymous, their condition was made known. Both women are now in good physical condition. “One [survivor] was treated in the emergency room at the hospital and then immediately released,” Dean of Students Jeff Stocco said.
According to a statement released by Stocco, “These matters are being actively investigated by the St. Peter Police Department. Authorities believe these incidents were attempted sexual assaults. Please know that local law enforcement is following up on all leads on this investigation. If you have any information that you believe would assist the investigation, please call the St. Peter Police at 507-931-1550.”
Wednesday marked three days after the second attack and Campus Safety was optimistic on their leads. “We have been receiving a lot of tips, so many tips that we had to add a second investigator today,” Head of Campus Safety Ray Thrower said. “[We are] exploring a lot of different leads, but none that can be spoken on at this point.”
On Monday, it is estimated that over 1,200 students, faculty and staff filled the Chapel to discuss the recent events. The forum was originally scheduled to take place in Alumni Hall at 5:00 p.m. but at five minutes to five, Alumni was full past its occupancy level.
Taking place over an hour-and-a-half, the first forum addressed the issues surrounding the incidents. “I am overwhelmed by the number of people who turned out [to the first forum] and pleased at how many people asked questions and gave opinions,” Stocco said. Due to its turnout and the nature of the issue, it was decided that for the remainder of the week a forum would be held at 5:00 p.m. each day in various locations, depending on availability to discuss further news and questions regarding the investigations. “This nightly forum will give people an opportunity to come and give ideas [and] ask questions,” Stocco said.
President Ohle opened Monday’s forum saying, “I have never had the opportunity to stand before a group over such a serious matter … We can solve this together. We can work together to be a stronger community. … When anyone in the community is violoated, everyone is violated.” The forum was a place for students, faculty and staff to bring up questions regarding Campus Safety policies, updates on investigations and gender issues, among other things.
“Rumors can be [destructive] to a community,” Ohle said. The forum provided an opportunity for Campus Safety and the St. Peter Police Department to clear up facts and discuss rumors going around. Talk of a third incident had spread throughout campus on Monday, but the St. Peter Police Department’s Matt Grochow was able to set the record straight. “At this point it is not related to the other two incidents,” he stated. This occurrence happened on Monday morning, as a Gustavus student reported a suspicious man near her home, ¾ of a mile off campus. She saw a man come running out of nowhere, and, as it seemed suspicious, she called Campus Safety. Thrower cleared up the supposed third incident further on Tuesday at a second forum. “We’re pretty sure it was a guy running to catch his bus, or someone late to work.”
Two days after the second incident, no new information seemed to be surfacing, but Thrower was optimistic. “SPPD and Campus Safety have been getting calls and sharing information throughout the day. We are trying not to leave any stone unturned and are taking everything seriously,” Thrower said. It is urged that if anyone has new information they contact Campus Safety (x8888) or the St. Peter Police Department (507-931-1550). If you would prefer to remain anonymous, Campus Safety has a Silent Witness Program on its website that allows for total anonymity.
Many questions at Monday’s forum regarded recent changes in the Campus Safety Safe Ride Program. The program recently changed from a call-in system to a route system. “Next week we will be reevaluating our Safe Ride Programs. We are looking [at] and exploring all of our options and taking into account what we’re physically able to provide and what’s practical,” Thrower said.
Until then, Campus Safety will be utilizing both forms of transportation going into next week. There will be a 24-hour escort service available for students who feel uncomfortable walking alone on campus, and the regularly scheduled route system will run in the evening. Campus Safety has also increased personnel for the next few weeks, both in vehicles and on foot.
Locations of Safe Ride stops and the effectiveness of lighting on campus was an issue over which many students and community members voiced concern. In response to these concerns, Thrower, Stocco, Vice President for Marketing and Communication Gwen Freed, Director of Physical Plant Warren Wunderlich and Vice President of Finance Ken Westphal walked the grounds of campus to find the spots that needed the most attention.
Temporary lights were added to the following locations: North of Lund Center on the path between the Norelius parking lot and College View (below the scoreboards), south of the Administration Building between Uhler Hall and Old Main and in the Arbor View parking lot. Other locations were groomed of overgrown shrubbery. When the temperature heats up and the ground is no longer frozen, the temporary light fixtures will be replaced with permanent ones.
Other changes and events will be taking place on campus due to ideas raised during this week’s forums. Thursday night played host to a Take Back the Night vigil in the Chapel, in which several professors and campus staff members spoke to give support and insight on the issue of sexual assault. The vigil was hosted by the Womyn’s Awareness Center (WAC) and Mentoring Men for Lives of Meaning and Making a Difference (M-Pact). The forum was “a time of speaking, listening and learning and … a great opportunity to come together as a community after this weekend’s assaults on campus,” Senior Political Science Major and WAC member Allie Stehlin said in an e-mail sent out to the campus community. The two groups also sponsored a White Ribbon Campaign to coincide with the vigil.
Plans are in motion to have six sessions on self-defense throughout the remainder of the semester in Alumni Hall. “Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies Karen Larson will lead free Women’s Self Defense Classes, open to all community members, in Alumni Hall from 5:30 p.m. to 6:20 p.m. on the following Tuesdays: March 15 and 22, April 5 and 12 and May 3 and 10,” Stocco said in an e-mail to the campus community. Larson is a third degree black belt.
Many students wanted to start their own safe ride system to help students get anywhere on or off campus. However, these programs are not school sponsored. “Anybody can pose as a student. It’s your personal choice if you want to use these student taxis, but you never know who is on the other end of the phone or picking you up. We encourage groups on campus to not start their own programs but instead to work with the school in figuring out a solution,” Thrower said.
Monday’s forum also brought up issues of timeliness in notification. Many students were unaware of the incident until long after it happened. Freed urged students to “make sure that their information is in the online Gribly,” as that allows the emergency contact system to relay messages to students sooner. Emergency messages are sent via text, e-mail, voicemail and calls to room phones.
Stocco, Thrower, Freed and Ohle acknowledged the hyper vigilant tone of the campus this past week and were quick to suggest tips to stay safe while on campus.
“Our job is to provide safety to the campus community. That being said, there is a lot you can do to help yourselves, too,” Thrower said.
Not wearing iPods while walking on campus, walking in groups, keeping your phone out and ready and getting a ride instead of walking whenever you can were a few of the tips stressed at Monday’s forum.
“We have stepped up campus security efforts and are working very closely with St. Peter Police to assist with their investigation. Importantly, as well, we are working to support the emotional well-being of all our students, making counseling and Chaplaincy personnel available to provide any needed support,” Ohle said in an e-mail sent out to parents. Gustavus offers many resources for students affected by this week’s assaults. “The Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) is always available 24/7,” SART Team Leader Patty Dawson said. “Call Campus Safety, ask to speak with a SART member and they [will] contact one for you. Within 15-20 minutes you will be in contact with a SART member.” If you wish to stay anonymous, that is always an option.
SART also has a role in connecting people to appropriate resources on campus. The SART team is made up of Licensed Practical Nurse Patty Dawson, Certified Medical Assistant Kelli Miller, Assistant Director of Student Activities Andrea Junso, Assistant Dean of Students Steve Bennett, Administrative Assistant for the Center for Servant-Leadership Sara Sletten and Admissions Counselor Kristin Nelson.
The Chaplain’s Office, the Counseling Center, Campus Safety, the Peer Assistants, Collegiate Fellows and the Dean of Students Office are also resources available to students for situations great and small.
With the arrival of this weekend, it important to remember the safety tips of Campus Safety and to always be aware of where you are and what you are doing. Again, if you have any information, be sure to contact Campus Safety or the St. Peter Police Department.
Safety Tips
[from Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Student Jeff Stocco and Director of Campus Safety Ray Thrower]
- Travel in groups
- Be aware of your surroundings. Avoid listening to headphones or talking on cell phones while walking
- Report suspicious persons, vehicles and activities to Campus Safety at x8888 or at any blue light campus phone
- Keep your doors locked whenever you find yourself alone in a building
- If you see someone getting victimized, get involved and notify Campus Safety or the Police
- Do not prop doors open
SART Contacts
Patty Dawson, Kelli Miller, Andrea Junso, Steve Bennett, Sara Sletten and Kristin Nelson