On March 20, Saint Xavier University’s text system was initiated, sending out a message to students about a battery/assault incident on campus. On April 6, the community of SXU was once again alerted to another safety incident on campus.
The initial incident, occurring on March 20, took place around 10:30pm. Students that were signed up for the text alerts heard of the incident about an hour after the altercation; those not signed up received a campus-wide email later on. The email read:
“Last half hour a male/unknown race approx 6’0 dark clothing grabbed female student from behind while student was walking between Lake Marion and the baseball field. Student was able to flee and is safe. Student reported incident to public safety, public safety notified area police units and immediately SXU Police searched area assisted by Chicago, Oak Lawn, and Evergreen Park police. No further information on the offender is available, he has fled the area.”
Some students said they were shocked to hear of the event, but even more so about the lack of description provided and by the fact that the suspect had not been captured.
Tajah Thomas, a student at SXU, said what she found surprising were students’ reactions to the event.
“When the first incident happened, I read the description and it said a man had tried to grab her and [she] had pepper sprayed him, or something to that effect, and [she] got away,” Thomas said.
“I think I was kind of removed from it; it didn’t impact me as much initially,” Thomas continued, “I felt bad for her because that’s really scary, but the worst part for me was the way others reacted.”
“People were telling me stories about how they thought it wasn’t real or that she made it up and…that’s just kind of reflective of our culture in general, when anybody – male or female – is a victim in a scenario and they tell their story, but people call them a liar. I thought that was really sad that we reacted that way, but also not entirely surprising.”
What was surprising was hearing of a second incident not even a month after the first one occurred.
Once again, SXU students and faculty received an email from Public Safety stating:
“We just received a report from Chicago Police about an incident involving a female SXU student [..] Student reported while attempting to enter her vehicle parked in parking lot 7, an unknown male pushed her into her vehicle and proceeded to drive away with her still inside. No weapon was reported being displayed. The suspect vacated the vehicle without further harm to the student. The suspect was last seen in the area of 99th and Sangamon. It is unknown at this time if anything of value was taken. The student was able to safety flee the scene in the possession of her vehicle and reported incident to Chicago Police. Chicago Police is currently investigating the incident. Suspect: #1-Male Hispanic, 25 years of age, 6’0, 200lbs, black jacket with fuzzy collar and 2 pockets, light facial hair on mustache and chin, black short cropped hair and a star tattoo near right eyebrow.”
The second incident, also happening on campus, occurred around 1:00pm on April 6. Students received the safety bulletin around 4:15pm the same day.
In response to the second incident, Thomas said, “I think people got too hung up on what actually happened because they were saying, ‘This story doesn’t make any sense.’”
“I think maybe when they send out a report of what just happened, they should do a better job of describing it so that we can get past the story and move onto the fact that it DID happen because I think…people were like, ‘well the logistics of this doesn’t make sense, if she was packing her car, why didn’t she just get out when she pushed him in, or how was he able to drive away with her in the car?’”
“I think we hold onto things that don’t really matter,” Thomas added, “We should be more worried about is she okay? WHY did this happen in the first place, WHAT was the cause and things like that.”
Thomas said the second incident scared her more than the first.
“I don’t go on walks at night like the first girl,” Thomas explained, “But with the second incident, I felt more connected to it because I do drive around campus, even though I’m a resident, and when I’m packing things up or just going to Target I’m literally looking over my shoulder.”
Thomas continued, “I remember, just a few days ago, I was up until four in the morning working on an assignment and I was like, ‘You know what, I’m gonna go get Subway because it’s open 24 hours!’ and I basically ran to my car because I was afraid someone was gonna catch me; I was scared something was gonna happen.”
“As soon as I got into my car, I locked the doors immediately! It was really scary actually. I was just trying to get a sub! I shouldn’t feel that way!”
Thomas says the second incident made the first incident seem more “real” and has increased her awareness of the different safety features around campus.
“I have night class until nine at night and I’m scared to go back to my dorm because anything can happen. The safety lights aren’t everywhere so I feel myself being more aware of their location now because, if something happens, I need to get there!”
In her overall feeling of safety on campus, Thomas says that, after these events, the times she actually feels safe is when she’s in her dorm room in Regina Hall.
“When I’m in my building, I feel very safe,” Thomas said, “It’s hard to get in the building if you don’t have swipe [access].”
“Throughout everything, around campus I don’t feel as safe,” Thomas continued, “I noticed I stopped going to Starbucks at night; it was a subconscious thing, but I used to go to Starbucks every night and these past two weeks I have not.”
“I didn’t really think about it until I was like, ‘hmm I wonder if I should go?’ But I didn’t because now I know something can happen.”
“So, [I] think campus doesn’t feel as safe to me anymore; but I used to feel REALLY safe. I used to walk to CVS and Gilhooley’s by myself all the time, but now…I’m running to my car and asking people to go to places with me because I don’t feel safe by myself.”
The University has addressed the issue and the idea of safety on campus. On April 9, SXU’s Vice President, Tony Campbell, released a statement saying: “Saint Xavier University Public Safety is working closely with the Chicago Police Department…As always, our Public Safety continues to actively patrol around campus and the surrounding area as a safety precaution.”
Brittany Buchanan, a Student Supervisor for Student Desk Officers in the Residence Halls, who has also worked the Dispatch Center at SXU, said, “We have radios and dispatchers, so we’re all working really hard and we’re keeping up with the times and everything that’s happening.”
“We are in constant communication with neighboring precincts,” Buchanan continued, “a lot of our Public Safety officers are retired police officers or have experience from different precincts, so they understand a lot, but they also have to work really hard to adapt to college culture.”
“Students – they’re not criminals, but they try to push the freedom they have and Public Safety works really hard to acknowledge this. Just like students want to be met with grace when situations are being handled, the officers want that as well.”
Buchanan says she, and the Public Safety officers on campus, understand the difficult situations that may arise, particularly with the current political atmosphere.
“In a society where people are wary of police and law enforcement,” Buchanan explained, “a lot of our officers have worked to remain culturally sensitive to what’s going on, but they can’t be fluffballs either.”
“I encourage people to get to know Public Safety staff and police officers because the better relationships you have, the easier it is to handle situations; the better perspective you will have.”
“Just like professors and peers, they’re here with us too; they’re part of this community too.”
Campbell’s email helped calm fears for students by issuing reminders about how to remain safe on campus. Some of the things students can do are:
Save Public Safety’s emergency number (773-298-3911) to your phone for quick access.
If you see something, say something.
Alert Public Safety if you see something unusual or concerning.
Make sure doors in residence halls and academic buildings are not propped open.
Talk to your friends! Always tell someone when you are going or coming back from somewhere.
Anyone with information that can help with the above investigations, please contact Public Safety or a member of the Student Affairs staff at 773-298-3121.
Cheyanne Daniels
News Editor