Harassment cases raise concerns among students
Jerry Manter

Managing Editor

Jacquelyn Costello isn t worried about male stalkers on campus. It s a concern she s never been too worried about.

But while Costello feels comfortable and secure on campus, she said she understands why some female students feel the opposite.

 I can see where there is fear in the dorms,  said Costello, freshman undecided major.  So many people come in and out of there. 

Costello said she s never been a victim of stalking or male harassment on campus, however, her friend has.

 It was the first week of school,  she said.

Her friend was spending time with a group of students in the residence halls. The environment soon changed for Costello s friend.

 They were trying to get her to do things she wasn t ready for,  she said.  I felt bad for her. 

Ken Kennedy, manager of safety and security, understands how a college campus can play an influence on a male student s behavior.

 You traditionally have a large amount of young single females,  Kennedy said.  It could be an attraction for someone to stalk young ladies. 

With several harassment and stalking incidents occurring on campus within the past couple of months, security is doing everything it can to protect the campus community.

 We re taking the steps to minimize the number of harassment cases,  Kennedy said.

Security officers have increased patrolling through the main parking lots after night classes, and have continued to keep the main office open until 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

The latest reported harassment occurred during the fourth week of classes, when an instructor reported to security one of her students was being harassed. According to the report, the male student had asked the female student out, but was refused of any formal dating.

The female student said the stalker followed her by car down Seventh Street. Not wanting to turn on the street leading to her house, she drove in and out of neighborhoods in the area before she was able to lose him.

 If the cases involve students, we will go through the dean of students,  Kennedy said.  If it s serious enough to be a crime, we will encourage the victim to go to the Joplin Police Department. 

Kennedy said students who feel uncomfortable at anytime can call the main office and ask for assistance.

 We can escort the student to and from classes,  he said.  If they feel insecure, we will be right there. 

Kennedy said it s hard to officially say what harassment is.

 What might be harassment to one person might not be harassment to another,  he said.  It s based on the level of discomfort or fear. 

Kennedy said he thinks one of the main reasons Southern has a safe campus is because it s a dry campus and that there s a no-tolerance policy for drugs.

 It s a very safe campus,  he said.

Dr. Ann Allman, counselor and academic adviser at Southern, said although she hasn t had any cases lately that have dealt with student harassment, it s a problem she knows all too well.

 It s a matter of sitting down and seeing what can and cannot be considered harassment,  Allman said  If it does cross the boundary, the person being stalked should call the authorities. 

Allman said a majority of harassment cases she s seen occur when the relationship ends and the male student has difficulties accepting the relationship is over.

 They have a hard time understanding their feelings,  Allman said.  They think that they ve done everything they could do to make her happy. 

Allman had one couple talk to her about their relationship and how sour it turned after they broke up. Their behavior, both physically and mentally, proved to have more emotional strain than an average post-relationship would typically offer.

They couldn t believe what Allman had to say.

 You know, this is stalking behavior,  she said to the ex-couple.

 This shocked them. They couldn t express their feelings. 

Allman said she is concerned when she hears about harassment charges on campus. She knows it s a signal for what could be on the horizon.

 Stalking can lead to physical behavior,  she said.

Doug Carnahan, dean of students, handles harassment cases when they reach his office. He said students found to be the perpetrators of harassment may face disciplinary warnings, probation, suspension and in rare circumstances, expulsion.

Carnahan said expulsion is rarely used when handling harassment cases. Mainly, when the incident is reported, the student s main goal is for the harassment to end.

 They just want the behavior to stop,  he said.  It s pretty simple. 

While Costello s friend has been the victim of harassment, she said her safety on campus has never been an issue.

 I don t live on campus, but I ve been at the dorms and I see a lot of security,  Costello said.  That s a good thing.