The Stetson Reporter

Volume 104, Issue 23 ^%M 4^m> J^s§f "Florida's Oldest Collegiate Newspaper' Stetson University DeLand,, Florida April 21, 1992 sexual assault stuns campus Photo by Rob Bullock x By Robert Bullock Reporter Editor A Stetson student accused of sexual assault has been released to the custody of his parents while he awaits trial. He has been suspended by the University pending the outcome of the trial. A spray-painted message which appeared on the Hat Rack Patio last Saturday morning was the first indication University officials had that an assault may have occurred. An investigation by the De- Land Police Department, Stetson - Public Safety, and University administrators resulted in the arrest of Matthew Pugh, a 19 year old freshman from York, Pennsyl- , vania on charges of sexual battery. According to a press release from the DeLand Police Depart- ■ ment, the alleged incident occur- „,.,„, , , T . ^ red in Nemec Hall at approxi- Physical Plant workers spent hours cleaning the message off the Hat Rack Patio. mately 2 a.m. on Saturday, Apni 11. The apparent victim is a 15 year old sister of a Stetson student who was here visiting. Both Pugh and the victim had been drinking, according to Stetson officials. The two met earlier that evening and were alone in the victim's sister's room when Pugh "physically forced [the] victim to perform oral sex," the DPD release stated. The incident was reported to the Stetson Public Safety office at approximately 1:30 p.m. on the 11th, according to the release. The University community was officially notified of the incident on Monday afternoon through a letter sent by Vice President and Dean of Campus Life James Beasley- The case is now pending in Volusia County courts. '92 Res Life staff completed On Tuesday, April 14, all the candidates for Residential Advisors for the 1992-93 year were announced. Below is the list of the Res- idnece Halls, their head residents and the RAs. Chaudoin Hall: Head Resident, Chris Cominsky**; RAs: Donna Bryan, Anna Compaigne, Gigi Murphy*, Liz Kinane*, Julie McLean, Rachel Roach*, Emily Teige, Joyea Warren*. Stetson Hall: Head Resident, Adam Forrand; ?RAs: Sou Amphavannasouk, Derrick Ash- worth*, Karen Beckett, Todd Bennett*, Cynthia Late, Margaret McDow, David Willis*, Andrew "Chip" Wright. Gordis Hall: Head-Resident, Pat McKenna; RAs: Mike Cass- idy*, Joe Helkowski*, David Herrara*, Frank Kortleven, John Murphy, Jeff Peridnson*. Carson-Hollis Hall: Resident Advisor, Kate Zaner; RAs: Scott Beely, Heather Salter, Rob Serr- etti*, Marcia Wright*. Emily Hall: Head Resident, Ron Piccolo**; RAs: Gian Barry*, Emmanuel "Mani" Cadet*, Bart Dickenson*, Karen Fulford*, Heather McCleer*, Carol Lynn Lakey, Kimberly Lane, Melissa Surface. Conrad Hall: Head Resident, Lori Finn**; RA's Barbara De La Fe, Angie Jimenez*, Caroline Karsner, Dawn Rasmussen, Rachel Schroder*. Smith Hall: Head Resident, Don Matthews; RAs:Bill Arnold, Jim Greene*, Pete Matulis, Luis Parra*, Jason Swartz*, Rick Whitted. Nemec Hall: Head Resident, Leanne Neuiand; RAs: Laura Barnao*- Epsilon, Matthew Ny- strom-Honors Alpha,Penny Potts- Environmental Delta, Michele Taylor-Gamma, Tricia Zippay- Honors Beta. returning Resident Advisor * returning Head Resident Beasley outlines assault procedures By Joyce Nailling When STASA (Students Together Against Sexual Assault) had its weekly meeting Wednesday in the CUB, the alleged sexual assault on campus last weekend was the main topic of conversation. Many of the members expressed confusion or even anger that the student body was not officially informed of the event until late Monday. After over an hour of discussing this incident in particular, and sexual assault in general with Dean Beasley, we began to understand many of the legal constraints the administration operates under in such situation. In general, Stetson's policy in cases of sexual assault is to notify the campus community. If there is an imminent threat (e.g. the assailant is unknown) then immediate notification will be made. Since the alleged assailant was known to officials, university officials deemed immediate notification unnecessary. When there is no immediate threat, the University may attempt to gather further information on the case before notifying the community. Notification of local law enforcement is an entirely different matter. The University always encourages the victim to report the crime to law enforcement personnel. If the victim does not grant her consent, the University will not report the victim's name to the DeLand Police Department. Instead, the DeLand Police and the State Attorney's office will be notified that a sexual assault has occurred and that the victim does not wish to have her identity released. The University will then request that a "victim advocate" from the State Attorney's office counsel the student. Additionally, the student is encouraged to seek medical attention and the University assists in any way appropriate. On the other hand, if the victim does wish to report the assault, the university generally calls the State Attorney's office to request a victim advocate and also notifies the DeLand Police Department. The victim advocate counsels the victim concerning her legal options and the consequences of whatever decision she might make. The advocate will also support the victim throughout all legal proceedings. The University will bring in a victim advocate to counsel the victim, with her consent, even if she does not want to report the incident to the police. In this manner, the University tries to help victims make informed decisions. On Saturday, when this incident was reported, the DeLand police circumvented this policy of bringing in a victim advocate. See STASA-page 5 Meet :tfe)fe#fciii^sdeife^