Photo by Madeleine Diesl ’28
Students recieved a Timely Warning from Public Safety & Service on Sept. 28, 2026 via email.

By Jo Elliott ’28

On Sept. 28, 2026, a Timely Warning was sent out to Mount Holyoke College’s campus community. The original email stated, “This Timely Warning is being issued to our campus community relative to a Clery Act reportable crime in accordance with federal law and safety protocols. The purpose of this warning is to keep the campus community informed and vigilant.” The email then contained personal details about a man named Benjamin David Arunski, along with some photographs of him and a vehicle he was associated with.

“Do not attempt to approach or engage with this individual,” the email said. Students were urged to call Public Safety at 413-538-2304 if they saw Arunski or one of his associated vehicles. Additionally, many professors teaching night classes gave students the option to miss class after the Timely Warning was sent out.

Later updates on September 29th, 2026, revealed that the man, Arunski, had been “issued a trespass notice at an off-campus location.” Arunski “is hereby legally prohibited from entering or remaining on any Mount Holyoke College property,” the follow-up email stated.

According to the Clery Center, Timely Warnings must be sent out to all members of a campus community “when Clery crimes reported to a campus security authority or local law enforcement pose a serious or ongoing threat to the campus community.

As of Oct. 4, 2026, Arunski has not been charged with a crime. Mount Holyoke News was unable to reach Arunski for comment.

Adeyla Hoenck '28 contributed fact-checking.