Graphic by Madeleine Diesl ’28 via Canva
Sarah Berger ’27
Arts & Entertainment Editor
During the afternoon of Sept. 28, Mount Holyoke students received an email with the headline “Timely Warning Bulletin: Campus Crime Alert.” The email contained several photos of a man that seemed to be taken from cameras and social media, as well as two photos of a car that appeared to be from a security camera. Also provided was the man’s name, birthday, physical characteristics and an additional car associated with him that was not pictured. There was no context included in the email beyond, “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.” There was additional information asking community members to report sightings of the man and exercise extra caution when moving around campus.
As a result of the email, student speculation on the man identified in the email abounded. Identifying the crime as “Clery Act reportable” did little to limit the speculation. The Clery Act was created in 1990 due to advocacy around the rape and murder of Jeanne Clery, a Lehigh University student. It applies to almost all crime on campus or near campus, including but not limited to arson, vehicle theft and dating violence. Identifying the man does not provide any information regarding what prompted the warning to begin with.
Of course, anyone who may have been a victim of a crime deserves to have their privacy respected. However, there is a way to keep victims protected while ensuring that students have the information they need to stay safe. In future reports, it would be helpful for campus security to include information like if the person was seen on campus, where they were seen, if they may be planning on returning to campus, if they may have had a motive for visiting campus, what they are accused of doing, and to what degree there is a threat to students in the moment.
On Sept. 29, an updated email was sent out. It stated that the person of interest was “issued a trespass notice at an off-campus location and is legally prohibited from entering or remaining on any Mount Holyoke College property.” Additionally, “Public Safety is actively working in coordination with law enforcement partners on this matter.” This seems to imply that the threat has subsided, but more information is needed here as well. Was this person ever present on campus? Is there reason to believe that he will return?
I’m not writing this article in an attempt to fearmonger. Mount Holyoke is one of the safest places I’ve ever lived, and I’m deeply grateful to the staff and community members who make it this way. However, the way to maintain safety is not by keeping students in the dark. That creates untrue rumors and leads to a culture of fear, not empowerment.
Sofia Ramon ’27 contributed fact-checking.
