Insecurity

The rape of an undergraduate woman near the Quad early on the morning of September 20 has led alarmed administrators and student groups to question the quality of security the University provides beyond the River Houses.

The rape occurred at about 1 a.m. on Shepard St. in front of Hilles Library. Although that is not a particularly deserted spot at that hour on a weekend night, apparently no passersby noticed the assault or called the police.

No security guard observed the assault because, until this week, no guard was assigned to patrol the Quad. Administrators in the Quad Houses and representatives from the Radcliffe Union of Students and the House committees said last week that one guard for the entire area was insufficient, nothing that each River House has its own watchman.

The Radcliffe Union of Students met with President Horner--and will meet with President Bok later this week--to press for security improvements. Horner said last week she would consider asking the University to set up a student escort service that would walk students home at night.

Students Organized for Security (SOS) intends to work with Harvard police in establishing self-defense classes in the Houses, Elizabeth Einaudi '83, head of SOS, said last week.

A University standing committee on security, which will include representatives from the University police, the Freshman's Dean's Office and University Hall will look into other security measures--such as better lighting or trimming bushes around the Quad.

Despite University officials' assurances that they are working to rid the Quad of security hazards, some Quad residents are still uneasy. One woman filed a complaint with the Harvard Police last week after an off-duty security guard allegedly declined to make sure she safely made it across the Quad one night. The police placed an official letter of reprimand in his file.

The police have no leads on the suspect in the rape case, who is described as a white male in late twenties, with a medium build, clean appearance, soft voice and, possibly, a mustache.