Samuel Rusch, Sentinel Contributer
In light of recent sexual assault allegations that occurred on Kennesaw State University grounds, the KSU Department of Public Safety & University Police are upping their efforts to enforce campus security.
On Monday, May 4, an alleged sexual assault incident occurred on campus at KSU Place. According to Director of Strategic Communications for KSU Tammy DeMel, campus police has identified all individuals involved, but has not yet released names or any further information regarding this case, as it is an ongoing investigation. The assailant is believed to be a brown haired, male, KSU student who is 6’0”.
Kennesaw State University President Dr. Daniel S. Papp, Associate Vice President and Dean of Students Michael Sanseviro, Ph.D, and Chief of Police Roger Sterns released statements on June 24 regarding the latest alleged sexual assault incident and campus security efforts.
President Papp placed an emphasis on the need for students to report any unusual individuals or activity to campus authorities. “There is no place in our campus community for sexual assault of any type. It simply will not be tolerated,” said Papp.
In addition to continuing their 24-hour, seven-days-a- week patrols that cover the full campus, KSU police will be expanding their foot patrols of the surrounding residential area. KSU Deputy Chief of Police Edward Stephens said, “On average, there are eight officers assigned to each patrol shift.”
Stephens, a KSU police officer for over 23 years, said that the number of officers on campus may be increased by officers from different areas that include Special Operations officers, Community Affairs, and the KSU Criminal Investigations Unit. Stephens said that KSU has had police patrolling 24/7 ever since he started.
In compliance with the Federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Police and Campus Crime Statistics Act of 1998, also known as the Clery Act, KSU is required to report all incidences of arson, aggravated assault, criminal homicide, burglary, sex offenses, motor vehicle theft, and robbery.
Through their ‘RAVE ALERT’ system, campus police inform students of emergencies on campus through emails, automated phone calls, and text messages. Timely Warning Notifications (TWN), sent only through the KSU email system, are used to alert the campus community about crimes that pose serious threats and ongoing investigation details.
Other resources are available to students such as Kennesaw State University’s Women’s Resources Center, the Office of Victims Services, and the Citizens Police Academy.
Students have the option to call the Communications Center to request an escort. This escort may be conducted by an officer or one of the Public Safety Specialists. “It may be an escort by vehicle or a walking escort and we will have an officer respond to this request as soon as possible,” said Stephens.
To many, KSU is their home away from home. It is a place where they come to learn; not worry. Students are encouraged to use “the buddy system” and to walk with a purpose when on campus. While authorities are doing their best to fight crime on campus, the best thing for any student to do is to be alert, be aware, and be able to recognize danger.
For students wanting to express their concerns regarding campus safety, the KSU Department of Public Safety and University Police can be reached at (470)-578-6666. Individuals that wish to be unidentified should call (470)-578-6305.
So there was an assault and the police have identified everyone involved and no one has been arrested and no names released. Maybe there was no assault at all one might guess.