Reports of an armed robbery and a violent hate crime on campus in the past week have left some students clamoring for discussion about the University’s safety measures and the way it alerts its students.
Freshman Quinn Matney’s account of his April 4 attack and branding by a man outside of Craige residence hall have spurred University officials to name the incident a hate crime, since Matney is gay.
The event went unreported to students and was posted on AlertCarolina one week later. AlertCarolina has already been under scrutiny after students were not notified of the armed robbery in Morrison by siren or text message.
The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Straight Alliance is holding an open forum Thursday to address these topics as well as to discuss possible changes in the way the University deals with safety issues.
Tentative attendees include Vice Chancellor Winston Crisp, director of the LGBTQ Center Terri Phoenix, Dean of Students Dean Blackburn, Student Body President Mary Cooper and victim Quinn Matney.
The forum will be Thursday, April 14 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Gardner 105. The event’s Facebook page already boasts 120 attendees and others who will come “in spirit.”
Will you be there? Let PitTalk know by commenting below or by tweeting at us @PitTalk on Twitter.
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