Assault raises concern about Escort
By Ashley Klann
Editor-in-Chief
In light of last month’s sexual assault, students have been concerned about the efficiency of Clark’s Safety Escort service. This topic was also discussed at a forum held by Student Council following the incident.
Senior Brook Gruber, who lives on Oberlin Street, near where the assault took place said, “Sometimes they don’t answer, and I have to call like three times in a row and then I just feel like I’m being annoying, and I can only afford to do that if I have the time to sit around and wait. It’s annoying.”
The recent incident has brought an increased tone of safety and smart decisions to campus. Photo by Ashley Klann.
“This is my first year living off campus so for the first few weeks at the beginning of the year I was nervous about walking home alone [after work] so I would try to call Escort, but of course they have a shift change at midnight so they were always like ‘Can you wait until 12:30?’” she said.
Other students have also discussed times when Escort has been too busy to receive their calls. “Late at night, when you would actually need them, they always seemed very busy,” said Stephen Edelstein ’11.
“Last semester I just ended up walking home alone, which I know is dangerous,” Gruber said. “I just really don’t understand why escort’s shift change takes like half an hour.”
According to University Police Chief Stephen Goulet, “The Safety Escort Service was operating during the normally scheduled times including available van escorts and foot escorts.”
“The University’s primary concern at this time is support for the student involved in this incident. The safety of our campus community is the highest priority of the University,” he added.
Jason Smith, Director of Student Safety Services, did not respond to our inquiry.
According to the Timely Warning sent out by Chief Goulet at the time of the assault, “Worcester Police investigators are working in a coordinated effort with the Clark University Police.”
The incident has raised many questions on campus concerning safety. Clark and its students must consider methods to promote safe behavior on campus and what safety matters needs to be addressed specifically.
To facilitate conversation, Clark University is holding an event called “Take Back the Night,” in which students will gather on Main Street in front of campus, then silently walk through the neighborhood, demonstrating their solidarity. The event will also serve as a forum for students to meet and express their feelings on the issue and raise awareness about sexual violence. The event will be held at 9:00 p.m. March 16th.
If anyone has information about this incident, they can send an anonymous text to 274637 TIPWPD or send an anonymous message at worcesterma.gov/police. Calls can also be made to the Worcester Detective Bureau at 508-793-8651 or Clark University Police at 508-793-7575.
*The Scarlet would like to add that we are always in favor of students using the safety services provided on campus and are in no way placing blame on any parties involved in this incident.
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