Safety Alert

["President's Office" <auemail@groupwise1.duc.auburn.edu>]

August 29, 2001 

Dear Members of the Auburn Community, 

Since early April, there have been three instances of sexual assault
and three incidents of stalking or menacing against women on the Auburn
University campus. One of the sexual assault incidents occurred at the
College of Veterinary Medicine and the other two on the main campus --
one near Cater Hall and the other adjacent to the South Hill
dormitories. Each time, the victim was attacked from behind by a white
male in his late 20s to mid 30s. In at least one of the attacks, he
claimed that he was armed. The last reported sexual assault occurred on
May 3. 

The Auburn University Department of Public Safety is seeking one or
more suspects in the possible menacing of three women students in
separate campus incidents.

The latest incident occurred early Saturday when a student drove up to
Sasnett Hall, a residence hall, by herself between 4:30 a.m. and 4:45
a.m. She told police that a man ran up to her car, began beating on the
windows and demanded that she unlock the door.

She drove way, went to a friend's apartment off campus and called 911.
Auburn city police alerted the AUPD, which arrived at Sasnett Hall
around 5 a.m. Nevin said police searched the area, but could not find
the suspect.    

Police do not know whether the three incidents are related to three
sexual assaults that occurred on campus earlier this year, but
authorities want to question the suspect or suspects in the most recent
cases. 

In response to the most recent incidents, I am attaching to this email
a PDF file that contains a sketch and detailed information released
about the suspect(s). As part of a continuing effort to communicate with
the campus on safety issues, we are asking you to print these PDF files
and post them in appropriate locations in your buildings. 

If you are unable to read the PDF file, click here to download the
appropriate software. 
Go to: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/alternate.html 

(As an information note, The Tiger Cub states that no advertising is
permitted on or from trees, light poles, buildings or other structures
on campus, except for designated areas.) 

The Office of Student Affairs and The Department of Public Safety are
posting the material in high-traffic areas of campus. Please help in
distributing this important information. 

In connection with these recent events, I would like to reiterate and
update some comments I shared with you earlier in the summer. 

I take these matters very seriously and have asked my administration to
assign the highest priority to the safety of our students, faculty and
staff. Whoever preys upon Auburn women is not only scarring them
physically and emotionally, but also tearing at the fabric of the open
environment for learning which we work so hard to maintain. I am fully
aware of the fears and frustrations that exist on the part of those who
go to school and work here, and also on the part of their loved ones. 

In addition to working closely with the Auburn City Police in the
investigation of these crimes, the campus police has stepped up its
patrols, putting extra cruisers and bicycle policemen on the streets. I
have authorized the hiring of eight additional police officers. Through
2 a.m., escorts are available through our campus shuttle service for
those who request them. After 2 a.m., the campus police will be happy to
serve as escorts. I have also directed our Office of Administrative
Services to investigate and alleviate any lighting inadequacies that
exist on campus. 

In addition, every faculty member and staff member on campus is aware
of the situation and is urged to report suspicious people or activities
to the authorities. I ask everyone on campus to share with the Office of
Student Affairs or Campus Police any information that may help us to
deal with this problem. 

The Office of Student Affairs has taken the initiative in developing a
Sexual Assault Awareness Week, which will include several activities on
campus in the week of Sept. 4-7. Information on these activities is
being distribute separately from this message. 

I hope that the publicity associated with Sexual Assault Awareness
Week, coupled with the events scheduled during that week, will help to
make everyone aware of precautions that may prevent an attack, as well
as the resources that exist on campus and within the Auburn-Opelika
community to support women who are attacked.

These resources include our Student Counseling Services' Safe Harbor
program (844-5123) and, for emergency needs, Rape Counselors of East
Alabama (741-0707; emergency pager number is 745-8634). Safe Harbor
provides free advocacy and confidential counseling services for students
who are victims of sexual assaults. RCEA provides advocates who will
accompany victims to medical examinations or to the police, or both. The
Crisis Center Hotline (821-6600) is also available to provide referrals
for victims. 

Please be aware that it is critical that medical attention be received
within 72 hours of an attack. 

It is my belief that education and information are vital to our
successful response to these attacks. I urge you to share this email
with others who may not have access to it, and to contact Student
Affairs, Student Counseling Services or Safe Harbor with questions you
might have. At the same, I want to assure each of you that I share in
your concern and your sense of outrage, and that I will not rest until
this threat to our campus and our community has been resolved. 

Sincerely, 

William F. Walker 
Interim President

handout.pdf