The Pioneer Times

Issue date: 5/7/08 Section: Top Stories

Media Credit: Barbara Boucicaut A view of the bottom floor of North TOwer, where burglaries tend to occur

In light of incidents that have occurred on campus this past week, President Speert sent a mass email to the student body to clarify any rumors or innuendos.

Monday, April 28, a police officer observed an individual in the act of a burglary in the Towers, one of the campus Residence Halls. This individual, who was subsequently determined to be a former student, when challenged by the officer, charged her, forcing her to draw her firearm. In struggling with the individual, Speert said the officer's weapon discharged once. The officer suffered minor injuries in the struggle and returned to duty the following day. The suspect, who was unharmed, was arraigned and remains in custody.

The second incident occurred Tuesday, April 29, when a staff member in the Library received an anonymous report that there was someone outside with what appeared to be a gun in a backpack. The student was identified and located by Campus Police within five minutes. Speert explained that subsequently the situation was verified that the student had an inoperable BB gun in the backpack in connection with the student's interpretation of an assignment in a theatre course.

While neither incident required a campus-wide notification, Speert believes these incidents remind us of our shared responsibility to stay attentive to our surroundings.

Monica Doskis, a soon to be graduate, was glad that Speert sent the email letting students know exactly what happened because many rumors had begun to spread already.

"I don't even live on campus and I heard a couple different stories about the two incidents," said Doskis. "It's just crazy because these things happen in the real world all the time and we have to be aware that it does go on and could take place anywhere on campus."

Speert said that the University and Campus Police have reviewed all that occurred in these incidents to assure that they incorporate what they have learned into our emergency procedures. The Office of Public Safety and Campus Police resolved these situations so quickly and effectively according to a few students around campus.

"As a student, knowing that these things are going on around campus while I could be walking around by myself makes me nervous," said Stacy Kanarick, a graduating business major. "It helps to know that Campus Police are on top of everything though and that we can honestly count on them."

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