SAN MARCOS — Cal State San Marcos President Ellen J. Neufeldt released a video Wednesday responding to reports of four rapes on campus and a fifth incident in which a student reported being fondled by a burglar in her dorm room.
Students and faculty had criticized the university’s initial response.
In the 3½-minute video, Neufeldt said University Police, housing officials and other university staff would increase security. She also said the university would expand sexual assault prevention efforts, including bystander intervention training.
Shortly after The Coast News reported on the rapes, which occurred Sept. 5, 6, 13 and 18, the university sent a campuswide text alert warning that another student had reported being fondled Sept. 21.
In response to a records request from The Coast News, University Police said the Sept. 18 rape had not been reported to the agency.
Before Neufeldt released the video, CSUSM student Megan Chavez started a Change.org petition calling for additional security. The petition had more than 2,100 signatures as of Thursday morning. It reads, in part:
“CSUSM students have not received any communication from the university about increasing campus security to prevent sexual violence and keep students safe. We should not carry the full responsibility for taking extra careful precautions because of the disgusting actions of other students. As women, we have the right to a safe education just as much as the rest of the student body. CSUSM continues to propose reactive solutions to an active problem.”
