Keene State College Vice President for Student Affairs Offers Statement on Recent Campus Assault

Keene, NH, March 19, 2012: Keene State College officials learned that on March 4, 2012, two students reported an on-campus assault that appears to be racially motivated. The incident was immediately reported to Keene police and Keene State College Campus Safety, and is being investigated. In addition, the non-student assailants have been banned from campus.

Keene State College Vice President for Student Affairs, Andrew Robinson, offered the following statement in response:

“We, at Keene State College, offer our sincere sympathy and support to the victims of what may have been a racially-motivated assault. We extend our thoughts to their families and friends. We are taking strong action to ensure that our college community, and the surrounding communities, understands that this type of behavior will never be tolerated, and in fact, will result in serious consequences.

“Accepting people who are different than ourselves, whether it be differences in race, religion, gender, age or other attributes, is of the utmost importance at Keene State, and it will continue to be. Make no mistake, our priority is protecting individuals in our campus community so that our campus is a safe place to work, study and live.

“In closing, I will reiterate again so that it as clear as possible - at Keene State College, there is zero tolerance for violence of any kind, including bias-related verbal and physical assaults,” concluded Robinson.

There are a number of resources available to people in our campus community who have been victims of verbal or physical assaults. These resources are also available to those who need to cope with offenses to friends, family or roommates. They include:

• Counseling support. Counseling is available to Keene State students, faculty and staff who feel they want to discuss this with a professional. For support please contact the Keene State College Counseling Center Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Elliot Hall or call 603-358-2437. Twenty-four hour crisis support is available by calling 603-358-2436.

• Keene State College Campus Safety. Campus Safety is available to hear concerns and is responsible for investigating offenses on campus. If you have information that can lead to the person who is responsible for a crime or assault, report this information right away. You can call Campus Safety at 358-2228, and if you prefer to remain anonymous, you can make a report through Silent Witness, by visiting http://www.keene.edu/campussafety/silentwitnessform.cfm.

• Resident Assistants and Resident Directors. RAs and RDs are available to help if you would like to speak with someone about personal concerns, and if you have information about a crime or assault on campus that could assist with an investigation.

• Chief Officer for Diversity and Multiculturalism. Dottie Morris is free to speak with individuals in our campus community who need support with offenses that are bias-related. She can be reached at dmorris@keene.edu or 603-358-2206.