Purdue News
Purdue NewsFebruary 3, 1998
Police also have started foot patrols in McCutcheon, said Capt. Ron Fosnaugh. McCutcheon manager James Foster and his staff, meanwhile, have met with residents to discuss the problem and raise awareness of escort policy. The hall will limit access to the building by extending the hours during which the outside doors are locked. The exact hours have yet to be determined.
"We are reluctantly installing locks after having tried other alternatives," said John Sautter, vice president for housing and food service. "We've tried police surveillance followed by counselor surveillance, and we thought we had curbed the problem that began early this fall. Then we had another incident just before Christmas and this one on Saturday (1/31)."
Police say the suspect's description from Saturday is similar in some ways, but different in others, to the voyeur spotted in earlier incidents. The witnesses said Saturday's intruder was a light-complected black male, college-aged, about 5 feet 10 inches. He had a small mustache and was wearing a dark blue shirt, with white stripes, blue jeans and socks, but no shoes.
A McCutcheon student had been bathing on the fifth floor when she saw the man peering under the shower curtain. She screamed, he ran, and then he was detained briefly by a second student. He broke loose and was chased by a counselor before he escaped and ran east on State Street.
McCutcheon is home to 275 female students, who live on the first six floors in the south wing, and 468 male students, who live on floors seven and eight as well as all floors in the north wing.
"We are concerned for our students' safety as well as privacy," said Marvis Boscher, director of residential life. "The students consulted agree that the steps we are taking to secure the McCutcheon community are necessary. With locks and foot patrol in place, we will continue to monitor the situation."
Sources: Ron Fosnaugh, (765) 494-8221
John Sautter, (765) 494-1022e-mail: jasautter@smly-01.hfs.purdue.edu
Marvis Boscher (765) 494-1000
Writer: Jeanne Norberg (765) 494-2096; e-mail: jeanne_norberg@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu
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