(no subject)
Dear Architecture Students, Faculty and Staff,
As you are all probably aware of by now, a female student was assaulted in the Harris Hall restroom yesterday just before lunchtime.
We are currently increasing security measures around the premises and will notify you soon of our progress with this.
PLEASE ATTEND THE SCHOOL WIDE MEETING THIS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29 AT 2:00 PM IN THE TROJAN LEAGUE COURTYARD IN HARRIS HALL.
The assailant was scared off by a staff member and remains at large. We are grateful the student was not badly injured and proud that so many people rushed to her aid.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is, of course, on the case. The suspect is described as a heavyset Latino man in his late 20s early 30s. LAPD has detained and questioned a number of suspects.
This incident gives us all reason to reflect on some important safety issues for all of us who live and work in the Watt/Harris Hall complex.
Even though the USC Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the LAPD responded very quickly to our calls and do patrol the campus, we cannot totally rely on them for our safety, especially inside our buildings. The best defense against intruders is community vigilance.
For the time being, we ask that you take all necessary precautions and remind others to do the same, especially concerning studio access. Faculty and students MUST NOT tape open, prop open, or obstruct studio doors to allow for "easier" studio access. We see this often in the second year studios and it is mandatory that all students and faculty swipe their cards when entering studio.
Please report suspicious people to DPS immediately. The attacker had been seen by several people near the women's restroom in Harris courtyard prior to the attack, pacing nervously, acting strangely, sitting in the stairwell, asking passing students for directions to the women's restroom.
Get into the habit of scanning your immediate environment before accessing classrooms, offices, restrooms and hallways. Report anything that seems strange or "out of place" immediately. Be alert to other people around you, their behavior, their "look" and whether you recognize them. Again, report anything suspicious to DPS immediately, even if you think you are being "paranoid."
There is safety in numbers. Try not to enter an unsecured area(s) without another person accompanying you, at anytime day or night. In any case, BE ALERT.
The Department of Public Safety's emergency number is 213 740-4321. Please memorize it and program it into your cell phones.
We really need the Watt/Harris Hall complex to be a safe and secure environment for everyone who is part of our community and I urge you all to do your part. Thank you for your cooperation
Robert H. Timme, FAIA
Dean, School of Architecture
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA 90089
213-740-2083