SBU responds to alleged rape
Dan McCarthy
Issue date: 2/5/10 Section: News
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According to Rick Trietley, vice provost for student life, sophomore William Markey, a resident of Francis Hall, entered Devereux Hall around 3 a.m. Saturday after a friend admitted him as a guest. Markey proceeded to allegedly force nonconsensual intercourse with a Devereux resident whose roommate was not present.
Allegany police arrested Markey Saturday evening and charged him with third-degree rape. He has been banned from entering campus for any reason.
Jim DiRisio, director of admissions, said his first concern rests with the people involved in the incident above everything else. Beyond that, DiRisio said he thinks families will recognize the allegation as an isolated incident.
"It's hard to know exactly why a student comes to Bonaventure to begin with, so it's a complex decision on the student's part," DiRisio said. "I don't think that families will see this incident as a reflection of the Bonaventure brand or what Bonaventure is about in a general sense because it is a highly unusual event for us."
DiRisio explained how prospective students and newly enrolled freshmen are updated on safety procedures early in the college experience. He said that offers no indictment to those involved in the alleged incident Saturday morning, but instead serves to settle the nerves of students and parents looking at St. Bonaventure.
"We talk about the fact that when a student comes in for orientation, and even when they come in to Welcome Days, we do education with our students to make them aware of the possible threats that may be out there and to help them be accountable for their own safety," DiRisio said.
Even with that education, some St. Bonaventure students still find themselves concerned for their well being following last weekend's events.
Sophomore Meghan Reno also lives in Devereux Hall. She said she now feels differently about her safety than she had in the past.
"I do feel a little more uncomfortable," Reno said. "I'm usually not afraid to really walk around by myself, but now that it's happened, it seems like it's easier for people to just get into the building."
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 5
Woody
posted 2/04/10 @ 9:58 PM EST
Excellent article my friend.
Alum
posted 2/04/10 @ 10:03 PM EST
DiRisio -"It's hard to know exactly why a student comes to Bonaventure to begin with....." And this is our person responsible for Admissions? Is it any wonder why Bonaventure is going backwards in number of people who even apply, let alone enroll. (Continued…)
Mike Marvin
posted 2/09/10 @ 11:42 AM EST
As a facilitator for A Call to Men, a group that calls on men to do thier part in ending violence against women, I would like to thank you for focussing on, and naming the alleged perpetrator of this crime. (Continued…)
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