KENT, Ohio — Kent State University is investigating two alleged cases of sexual assault in residence halls on the Northeast Ohio school's campus.
Initially, KSU officials were investigating a report of sexual assault in Manchester Hall. During the investigation, officials became aware of a possible second sexual assault in Allyn Hall.
Investigators believe that the alleged incidents occurred between Sept. 14-18. It is believed that the sexual assault incidents "potentially involved an individual who was the guest of student residents on the Kent Campus."
"In all honesty, I feel like it can happen to anyone," Kent State freshman Charlie Klein said, "any time of the day, any gender."
In an email sent to students on Thursday night, Kent State University administrators stated:
"We continue to keep safety as a top priority. Kent State Police patrol our campus 24 hours a day through vehicle, foot and bicycle patrol. There are more than 30 blue light phones stationed across campus in parking lots and along sidewalks that connect immediately with campus police. In addition, a safety escort service is available by calling 330-672-7004. For more information about campus safety, visit www.kent.edu/campus-safety."
The safety alert spurred concern among students on campus. Some said they were frustrated by the limited information that was released.
"I would just hope that Kent put out more information about it," sophomore Shauné Herbin told 3News. "Like, who were they hanging around? Who did they come with? Put out a picture, because, like, we don't know, it could be anybody. It could be somebody walking down there, it could be a professor, it could be an RA — we don't know who it is."
Since the beginning of August, University police say they've only been notified of these two incidents. A school spokesperson said data from 2021 will be released next month, but in 2020, there were four rapes reported in the residence halls.
"Obviously, I think its horrible, and it shouldn't happen, especially on a college campus," Klein said. "I know there's a lot of room for that, unfortunately."
Some students are now encouraging others to step up and keep an eye out for their classmates, to protect them from possible predators.
"I've had girls in the past also ask me to just walk home with them until they get back," freshman Adam Varga noted.
Anyone with information on these situations is asked to contact Kent State Police at (330) 672-3070.
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EDITOR'S NOTE: The video above previously aired on 3News on Aug. 24, 2022.
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