Students raise concerns over alleged stalking

OAVP and University Police address worries

In recent days, a wave of anxiety has swept through some students as concerns of alleged stalking on campus have surfaced on social media. 

UTRGV Assistant Chief of Police Van Slusser said to make an arrest, the University Police would need a reporting party who wants to pursue criminal charges that meet the definition of the Texas Penal Code.

“For stalking, it’s when a person on more than one occasion basically does things that the actor, which is the suspect, knows that the other person would regard as threatening, either bodily injury or death of a person, or some other type of offense [that] would be committed against a member of that person’s household,” Slusser said.

Several people used the UTRGV Students Facebook group to express their concerns and share personal stories of feeling unsafe on campus. 

The situation worsened after students learned the Office for Advocacy and Violence Prevention does not forward any confidential information to University Police as they thought.

On Nov. 13, OAVP released a statement on its social media platforms stating the office does not “investigate crimes, nor do we file any official reports on crimes or incidents reported to us.”

OAVP functions in a similar manner to counselors and health-care providers, according to its statement. 

“If you need resources, support, or assistance in making a report, we can help,” the statement reads. “If you want to report a crime directly, reach out to local or campus law enforcement. We can accompany students, staff, or faculty members who want to make a report in person.”

Cynthia Jones, a professor of philosophy and director of the Office for Advocacy and Violence Prevention, told The Rider that OAVP is a confidential advocacy office that does not “turn over reports of anything to anyone without the consent of the individual.”

“We can work with someone to file a report, but we don’t take reports of crimes,” Jones said. “We can listen to a person and help them and facilitate if they want to report. Our standard procedure, if somebody wants to report a crime, is to get them in touch with and we’ll go with them if we need to. We do that all the time.”

She said her office acts as “advocates,” not as “investigators.”

“I don’t know where anyone would get that idea because our website, our social media sites, everything says the same thing, which is we’re confidential,” Jones said. “… Somebody drew my attention to how things are worded on a poster, which I didn’t create the wording on, and it says that we’re authorized to take [reports]. But it says, then at the bottom, we are confidential and we can help people make reports. We don’t take reports and we don’t turn things over to PD unless … somebody says, ‘Help me make a police report.’”

OAVP advocates supporting victims, survivors and bystanders by offering various forms of assistance, according to its website. 

The office provides information on victimization and crime prevention, as well as on survivors’ legal rights and the criminal justice process. Advocates also offer emotional support and help with safety planning, intervene with university staff on behalf of survivors and assist in finding shelter and transportation. Additionally, it provides referrals to other necessary services for survivors.

Slusser said reports made to OAVP are confidential if the student requests so.

“So, let’s say a student were to reach out to OAVP and they just, you know, want support talking about a certain situation and they request that their information not be passed along to us,” he said. “… OAVP respects that and we’ll never hear about that particular incident. However, if they would like it reported to law enforcement, if they would like it reported to us, then, with their permission, then OAVP can help facilitate that report to the police department.”

University Police are investigating reports made by individuals who said they were stalked.

As the investigation unfolds, University Police encourages students to report any suspicious activities immediately.

Ismael Amaya, dean of students, provided a statement to The Rider via email Wednesday stating the university is aware of the concerns and complaints by the UTRGV community.

“We take these matters seriously, and the safety and well-being of our students and campus community remain our top priority,” Amaya wrote. “Students are encouraged to report their concerns at Vaqueros Report It. Staff members in the Dean of Students Office and the Office for [Advocacy and Violence] Prevention are available to assist students report their concerns and explore additional resources available to them. For emergencies and immediate safety concerns, the best recourse is to call 911.”

An anonymous member of the UTRGV Students Facebook group shared their concerns on Nov. 11 about making reports to campus police and the Office of Title IX and Equal Opportunity and being told it was “not considered stalking.”

Slusser emphasizes the importance of reporting any potential offenses directly to the UTRGV Police Department. 

“There are multiple avenues for students to address their concerns, whether that’s confidentially, whether that’s administratively or with our department, which is criminal law enforcement,” he said. “So with that, we’d like to remind our community of the various resources available on campus to support them. And students can reach out to the UTRGV Counseling Center, the Office for Advocacy and Violence Prevention, the Office of Title IX and Equal Opportunity and other support services to ensure that they receive the help that they need.”