Dear Temple Community,
This is a timely warning that the university has received two credible reports from various sources alleging sexual assault, one during a social event in a residence hall and a second incident at an off-campus location, potentially involving the same suspect who was positively identified yesterday. The university has placed a student of interest on interim suspension pending investigations by the university, Temple Department of Public Safety and the Philadelphia Police Department. While suspended, the individual is prohibited from being on campus or in university buildings or classes.
As these investigations are ongoing, we strongly encourage students with information or otherwise in need of support regarding any concerns of sexual misconduct to contact
• Temple Police (215-204-1234, police@temple.edu)
• Title IX Coordinator (215-204-3283, titleix@temple.edu)
• The Dean of Students Office (215-204-7188, dos@temple.edu).
Any member of the Temple community or the public can also submit an anonymous report at helpline.temple.edu.
When it comes to socializing, please keep these tips in mind:
• Consent is a clear, voluntary and informed agreement between participants. When it comes to any form of sexual activity whether kissing, touching or sexual intercourse consent must be explicit, meaning it requires an active yes, not the absence of a no. It must be freely given, never assumed, coerced or obtained through pressure, manipulation or intimidation. A person who is asleep, unconscious or significantly impaired by alcohol or drugs cannot give consent.
• It is also important to look out for one another while socializing when you go out with friends, make a pact to stay together and leave no one behind.
• Remember, Temple University has a medical amnesty policy that states that no student will be subject to university discipline for seeking medical treatment for the effects of drug or alcohol use, and this amnesty will be granted to both the intoxicated student and the student seeking help for an intoxicated student.
• Walking escorts are also always able to assist you and escort you anywhere within Temple s patrol zone. They can be requested by calling 8-9255 from a campus phone or 215-777-9255 from a cell phone.
We recognize that timely warnings like this can be unsettling. Anyone in need of support can find it through Tuttleman Counseling Services, located at 1700 N. Broad Street. To connect directly to staff members there, call 215-204-7276 or visit the Tuttleman Counseling Services website.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Griffin
Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police
Jodi Bailey Accavallo
Vice President for Student Affairs
The positive identification of the suspect on November 19 -- the day before the timely warning -- likely triggered the Clery obligation: once a suspect is identified, the university must issue a timely warning if it determines the crime poses an ongoing threat to the community
Two reports at separate locations -- one in a residence hall and one off-campus -- both attributed to the same identified suspect elevated the Clery priority because the pattern suggests a continuing threat, not an isolated incident
Interim suspension prohibiting campus presence is the maximum administrative measure Temple can implement before a full investigation is complete; it is designed to protect potential future victims while due process investigations proceed