A rape was reported to University Police on Sept. 12. The incident occurred in Hart Hall on Sept. 8, according to University Police Chief John Rossi.
The incident was categorized as rape in the third degree, which is classified in New York penal law as engaging in sexual intercourse “with another person who is incapable of consent by reason of some factor other than being less than seventeen years old,” being 21 years old or more and engaging in sexual intercourse with a person younger than 17 years old or engaging in sexual intercourse without a person’s consent “where such lack of consent is by reason of some factor other than incapacity to consent.”
Third degree rape is a class E felony.
No weapons were used and “alcohol did not play a part in this incident,” Rossi said.
No arrest has been made, according to Wayne Westervelt, Oswego State’s chief communication officer.
“The college, through University Police and our Title IX coordinator, are investigating the matter,” Westervelt said.
Neither the campus nor the residents of Hart Hall have been notified about the incident. Rossi said the investigation concluded “there is no threat to public safety at all.”
Because it is not believed that there is a continuing threat to the campus, a campus-wide email was not sent.
“In matters where the college feels there’s a threat to our community, we would certainly communicate and take measures to ensure the safety of our students,” Westervelt said.
This has been the first rape reported at Oswego State this fall semester. According to the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, there were six forcible sex offenses reported at Oswego State in 2012. In 2013, there were four forcible sex offenses and in 2014 there were three.
Rossi said the number of sexual assault on campus varies each semester.
“Some semesters we may not get any and then other semesters we can get a variety of different classifications of sexual crimes, whether it be harassment, forcible touching, sexual misconduct, sexual abuse,” Rossi said.
Westervelt emphasized the importance of a culture of open communication on campus.
“If you see something that just doesn’t seem right or if you experience something that you feel is wrong, it’s important to report that so that none of us are looking the other way or sweeping things under the carpet,” Westervelt said.
Westervelt said the college also encourages people to report situations that make them feel uncomfortable to a member of the faculty, staff, University Police, counseling services or any other resource on campus.
“The college encourages students, faculty, staff, to report any of these incidents, whether they be sexual assault reports, stalking, harassment, anything that they think seems to not be right or appropriate,” Westervelt said.
The Jeanne Clery Act was passed in 1990 and requires colleges that receive federal funding to “share information about crime on campus and their efforts to improve campus safety as well as inform the public of crime in and around campus,” according to the Clery Center for Security on Campus. This information is shared through the college’s annual security report.
Oswego State is required under Title IX and the Clery Act to “provide specific information, options, and resources to survivors in cases of sexual violence,” according to the Clery Center. “Institutions must have a prompt and equitable process for resolving complaints.”
