SARASOTA COUNTY (WSNN) – A trespasser on a Suncoast college campus invades more than just physical space.
“It was kind of scary when it first happened,” resident of Dort Residence Hall, Ginelle Swan said.
“That kind of made me question staying over here for a while,” dormmate, Olivia Murillo added.
Swan and Murillo are recalling the moment when someone trespassed onto the New College of Florida campus and entered a student’s dorm room. Police say it happened around four in the morning, last Wednesday, August 25th, in the Dort Residence Hall.
“An individual unlawfully entered a student’s dorm room, and had touched the student without their consent,” New College of Florida’s Director of Communications Ann Comer-Woods said. “The individual immediately left the area.”
Campus police arrived one minute after receiving the call. The suspect is described as a white man in his mid-30’s, about five-foot-six with brown hair and light-colored facial hair, wearing a white shirt and dark pants at the time of the incident.
“I was very scared for my daughter .. it happened in the same dorm building and its terrifying,” an anonymous parent of a daughter who lives at the Dort Residence Hall said
The alleged sexual assault happened on the third floor of the resident hall. Right after it happened, staff alerted everyone on campus.
“Knowing that this person’s space was invaded and on top of that their personal space was invaded, that was kind of freaky to me,” Murillo said.
“It’s not something you can replace with money,” but having your safety and your personal space and your safe space invaded is not something you can replace.”
This wasn’t the first time an incident like this has happened at New College. Reports of sexual assaults have happened every year there since 2018.
“Last year, there was a report of a trespasser here on campus, here around the residence halls,” Comer-Woods said. “We do not know if those two are connected or not.”
“It concerns me that this has possibly been going on a long time and I think they should install cameras immediately, inside and outside the building and change the locks,” the anonymous parent said.
The campus increased police presence in residential areas. Staff also added door alarms and door stoppers with alarms attached to them.
SOT: Ginelle Swan and Olivia Murillo – Dort Residence Hall
“That definitely makes us feel a little bit safer,” Swan said.
“Our concern for the safety and security of our students is our highest priority and we are doing everything we can to keep our students safe,” Comer-Woods said.
Campus police are still investigating. If you see any suspicious activity, call Campus Police at (941) 487-4210 or from any blue emergency phone. If you need a safety escort, call Campus Police.
