Washburn University
Volume 141, Issue 19
February 25, 2015
washburnreview.org
INSIDE: News
Page 4: WSGA is moving forward with a propsed smoking ban on campus.
Sports
Photo by Ryan Ogle
Despite the sensitive nature of the reported incident, the decision made by campus officials to not alert students of an alleged sexual assault in Carole Chapel has students questioning the university’s emergency notification policy.
Response to sexual assault raises concerns Ryan Ogle
WASHBURN REVIEW
Page 9: League of Legends is paving the path for e-sports.
Arts & Entertainment
Page 12: ‘The Vagina Monologues’ is coming to Washburn Feb. 27 - 28.
Campus Life
Page 6 & 7: Gabriel Palma’s senior art exhibit is showing in the Art Building.
As reported last week, university police are investigating a reported rape on campus. According to Washburn University Police Department Capt. Chris Enos, the incident occurred on the morning of Wednesday, Feb. 11 between the hours of 8:30 - 8:55 a.m. in Carole Chapel. “It’s an ongoing investigation. We’re talking to all the parties involved and witnesses,” Enos said. “We want to protect the rights of the victim, so there is very little I can say about it at this point.” The official police report states that a possible suspect has been identified. In October of last year, when reports of sexual assault in the area of Washburn Village were made, the university was quick to send an email alert to the student body to warn them of possible danger. However, no such alarm was sounded after the incident at Carole Chapel. According to Director of University Relations, Patrick Early, no alert was sent because the
CAMPUS SAFETY TIPS
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distinction was made that the incident did not place the student body in danger. Washburn President Jerry Farley addressed the situation in an email sent to all faculty and staff on Tuesday afternoon. In the email, Farley stood behind the decision to not issue an alert. “I can’t give you any further information about the incident itself since there is an ongoing investigation, but I concur there was no threat to the campus community involved and therefore, our police department properly followed our published policy in not issuing an iAlert in this matter,” Farley wrote. “We will begin, however, a thorough review of our timely notification policy.” When news of the incident broke, a number of students expressed concern about the university’s decision to remain quiet. “It’s irritating that students going to Washburn and their safety is in danger because they’re not aware of whats going on,” said Christian Sauerman, junior BFA. “Rape is serious. Rape shouldn’t be covered up. We should be getting this out to the public as soon as possible and
not five or six days later after the incident happened.” Junior mass media major Monica McDougal agrees that the university should have been more proactive in their response to the report. “I think it’s interesting how they’ll send out alerts for thefts or suspicious characters, then when a student is assaulted and broad daylight, on campus, you don’t think that’s not important to let people know? Especially considering we’re on the list of universities facing investigation over how we handle sexual assaults, you’d think they would take it seriously,” McDougal said. “We just need to stop covering up sexual assault. It’s a reality and the less we talk about it the more it’s going to happen and clearly no one expected the police to send out the name of the victim, but it would be good to let people know, ‘Hey, this happened and we’re doing everything to make sure it doesn’t happen again,’ and they just didn’t do it.” Last summer, Washburn was included on a national list of more than 70 universities placed under federal investigation for their response to reports of sex-
Be alert and aware of your surroundings When possible, avoid walking alone after dark and in isolated areas.
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ual assault reports. Inclusion on the list does not mean that Washburn was in violation of any laws, nor did the list give details regarding why Washburn was being investigated. Campus resident and freshman English major Teagan Thomson believes that, not only do students have the right to be made informed when violent crimes occur on campus, but that Washburn should increase its already existing safety measures. “People who live on campus deserve to know when things like this go on,” Thompson said. “And maybe put in more of the emergency phones in high traffic areas, like Mabee Library and other buildings on campus.” Anyone with information relating to this incident can contact university police at 785670-1153. Aaron White and Stephanie Cannon contributed to this article.
Ryan Ogle, ryan.ogle@ washburn.edu, is a senior mass media major
Know where the campus emergency phones are located Report suspicious activity to campus police immediately At night, park in well-lit areas