WTAMU is seen as a relatively safe campus, where students can walk around without fear of being attacked.  This is why many WT students, especially females, were surprised when they received an email through their WT accounts about an alleged sexual assault.

            On Oct. 19, at approximately 1:45 a.m., the University Police Department received a report of an alleged sexual assault in Guenther Hall.  According to the crime report sent out to all WT students, the alleged offense occurred between 9:00 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18 and 1 a.m. Friday, Oct. 19 and involved one adult male suspect who is a WT student and was known to the victim.

            “It surprised me that this happened at WT because I have always felt so safe here,” Belynn Sharp, a junior Advertising and Public Relations major, said.

            One student said she is often nervous when she has to walk to her car in the dark after her night class.

            “I do think WT is mostly a safe place, but I just know of  too many things that happen and have friends who have been mugged, so I am always kind of nervous and looking around when I walk to my car at night,” Keegan King, a junior Advertising and Public Relations major, said.

            Another student said although she has never before felt threatened at WT, this incident makes her nervous.

            “Ever since I have been in college, WT has been known as a pretty safe campus,” Brittny Herbert, sophomore Advertising and Public Relations major, said.  “It’s hard to believe someone would want to hurt a classmate in this way.”

            The University Police Department has sent out some tips on safety when it comes to these types of situations.  According to an attachment in the crime report that was sent out, students should be aware of their surroundings at all times, trust their instincts, walk with friends in lighted areas, park in well-lighted areas, have their keys ready when they approach their car and check the vehicle before entering, be alert for strangers and if they are followed, cross the street, change direction and go to a well-lighted public area.

“At night, I feel very nervous walking around campus by myself because I have seen too many Lifetime movies,” Herbert said.

 Sharp said she often carries a form of protection.

“Sometimes I will carry my pepper spray if I’m walking a long way on campus at night,” Sharp said.

 The University Police Department provides an on-campus escort service for students, faculty and staff to be escorted to or from their vehicle.

People can call 651-2300 for an escort