2008 Woodie Awards
Ross intrusion renews concerns
Katie Flagg
Issue date: 1/27/05 Section: News
- Page 1 of 3 next >
On Sunday morning at 4:40 a.m., a resident in Milliken Hall reported that an unidentified male entered her room. The intruder left after the student told him to leave. The Department of Public Safety, in a community-wide safety alert issued by e-mail, described the suspect as a white male, student age, approximately 5'7" to 5'10". The suspect is also described as having wavy hair to the ears and a medium build.
The e-mail - one of several reports of the same nature issued this year to the College community - followed Public Safety procedure. "If the person has not been identified and is still at large, it is our responsibility to alert the community," said Melody Perkins, assistant director of administration at the Department of Public Safety.
The Milliken Hall incident is the third Ross Commons intrusion this academic year. Documented intrusions have been limited to Ross Commons buildings this year, but a similar incident occurred during the Fall 2003 term in Gifford Hall, according to Perkins.
"We had a wonderful response from the community," she commented in regards to the Gifford case. This student response eventually aided in resolving the situation and apprehending the person responsible for the incident.
Though the Gifford Hall incident is, according to Perkins, in many ways similar to recent intrusions, another "wonderful response" from Middlebury students is less obvious on campus. Student reactions vary - while several expressed concern at the onset of the intrusions, others quickly discounted the incidents.
"After the first [incident] I locked my door, but I don't anymore," said sophomore and Ross Commons resident Sienna Chambers. Chambers continued, "I don't really pay attention to [the safety alert e-mails], to be honest."
While many students echo Chambers's sentiments, some going so far as to describe the e-mail alerts as "jokes," others feel that a lack of personal responsibility only heightens security problems on campus.
The e-mail - one of several reports of the same nature issued this year to the College community - followed Public Safety procedure. "If the person has not been identified and is still at large, it is our responsibility to alert the community," said Melody Perkins, assistant director of administration at the Department of Public Safety.
The Milliken Hall incident is the third Ross Commons intrusion this academic year. Documented intrusions have been limited to Ross Commons buildings this year, but a similar incident occurred during the Fall 2003 term in Gifford Hall, according to Perkins.
"We had a wonderful response from the community," she commented in regards to the Gifford case. This student response eventually aided in resolving the situation and apprehending the person responsible for the incident.
Though the Gifford Hall incident is, according to Perkins, in many ways similar to recent intrusions, another "wonderful response" from Middlebury students is less obvious on campus. Student reactions vary - while several expressed concern at the onset of the intrusions, others quickly discounted the incidents.
"After the first [incident] I locked my door, but I don't anymore," said sophomore and Ross Commons resident Sienna Chambers. Chambers continued, "I don't really pay attention to [the safety alert e-mails], to be honest."
While many students echo Chambers's sentiments, some going so far as to describe the e-mail alerts as "jokes," others feel that a lack of personal responsibility only heightens security problems on campus.