Campus Housing increases security measures
UIC Campus Housing has instituted additional safety measures in residence halls after a student was sexually assaulted March 31 in Commons South.
At the time of the incident, campus residence halls already had security measures in place similar to or more stringent than those at many large urban universities, such as requiring doors to be locked and students to swipe their IDs to enter the building.
“Campus Housing is committed to ensuring the safety and security of our resident students,” said Susan Teggatz, director of Campus Housing.
New security measures include:
- relocating staff at the security station in front of the desk to monitor those passing in and out
- 24-hour guest sign-in policy
- all bathroom doors will remain locked and students must use key to enter
- UIC Police patrols at each residence hall twice each watch, six times a day
- more safety reminders to students through email and community meetings.
Safety measures instituted before the incident that will continue include a trained student security force, resident adviser patrols, private security firm overnight, surveillance cameras, safety education programs and fines for keeping doors propped open.
The increased security measures were put in place after a student was attacked in the shower about 10 a.m. March 31.
Tavares Humphries, 28, of the 3300 block of West Lexington Street, was charged with attempted murder, aggravated criminal sexual assault, aggravated kidnapping, battery of a police officer and residential burglary.
Any campus residents or other students in need of counseling or other support should contact Campus Housing, 312-355-6300, the UIC Counseling Center, 312-996-3490, or the Campus Advocacy Network, 312-413-1025.
