Students nervous after alleged rape

By Kelly L. Griffith
News Editor

A female resident of Belk Hall was allegedly raped on Sunday, Oct. 12 between 2 and 3 a.m. Notices were immediately placed in dormitories around campus, asking students to bring forth any information about a possible suspect.

Campus Police found the suspect soon after the rape was reported and a description was released.
Earlier that Saturday night, UNCP experienced a blackout due to a blown transformer. During the campus’s difficulties, a group of students along with six young men from another North Carolina institution crowded between Belk and North Halls.

One of the residents gave the security code for Belk to a fellow resident and the suspect overheard. He later used the code and followed the victim to her room, police said.

All dormitory codes were immediately changed after the rape was reported and the young men have been banned from campus. Campus Police will enforce the rule that residents not give out the security code.

Detective Ed Locklear of Campus Police said: “Be careful when you are giving it (the security code) out to another student who belongs in the building because someone can overhear it, just like in this case.”

Belk Resident Administrator Pat Lankford said that some residents are nervous and more cautious of their actions.

Lankford also said that desk clerks and resident advisors are on alert and Campus Police are willing to walk students to the dormitories or apartments after dark.

Detective Locklear said the victim is unsure if she will press charges against the suspect, eventhough she has been encouraged to do so by Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Dr. Lisa Schaeffer.