In September 2024, there was a rape reported on campus. This is a heinous infringement of personal space and wellbeing of any individual; it is unacceptable anywhere and between any two people. This incident notably took place at the MATC Downtown Campus and between two students, making it a violation of the security all students should feel in a place of learning.
This case is consistent with what we know about sexual assaults, which most often occur between two people who know each other and in familiar settings
Public Safety and Marketing did a fine job releasing an informative and timely statement on what had happened. The college is required to do so with all campus crimes, as a part of the Clery Act in order to avoid hefty fines. It is beneficial that the college remains transparent and communicative in these sorts of criminal cases, yet that very announcement was upsetting to many.
Students phones flashed “MATC Timely Warning – Rape” and this caused some to fret for their safety. That panic led some students to call for a crackdown on security, suggesting that this could have been avoided if there were more on campus police or if more doors on campus were locked. But what we know about this particular case, none of this fervor was warranted and these suggestions would not have stopped this event.
Concerned that this type of alarm caused unnecessary fear for recipients, some students spoke out. The Times met with Public Safety, as did Jenna Miles, Secretary of the District Student Association. This led to multiple meetings where DSA met with Director of Public Safety Aisha Barkow, Chief Marketing Officer Tony Tagliavia, Erich Ziemantz of Student Life, and Dr. Anthony Cruz, the President of MATC.
In the first meeting, students expressed concern about the alert and pledged to work together to create an alert system that meets student needs in terms of transparency and timeliness. A trigger warning was also suggested, as well as not including certain crimes in the headline of the alert.
On the topic of safety, Miles said: “I speak not for myself but for those who do not have a voice, for our right to safety, for our right to live in peace and for our right to dignity. I may not be Malala Yousafzai or in the running for a Nobel prize. But my vision for student safety on campus is one in the same. As a DSA member, I have been given the opportunity to use my voice as a representative of yours. Our safety is of utmost importance. I hope to represent our student body with diligence and grace.”
Students have since gone on to co-plan Public Safety Day, November 6, and are working to put together a student-centered PSA on how to maintain safety on campus.
In terms of safety, we are all responsible for building our communities that keep us safe. That includes our MATC community and beyond this campus. You are important, and your safety is as well. Surround yourself with other people who have your best interests in mind, stay vigilant, and take time to care for your neighbors.