Proctor Assaulted Outside Dorm

At least one student in Pennypacker Hall is facing possible criminal charges and disciplinary action following an incident last Friday night in which a proctor was assaulted.

The Harvard University Police Department (HUPD) and the Cambridge Police Department (CPD) responded to a report of a fight outside of Hurlbut Hall at 10:39 p.m. on Oct. 29.

They arrived to find about six college-age students involved in an altercation with a Pennypacker proctor.

The altercation started when Chris Gahan, a third floor proctor in the Union residence, and his girlfriend pulled up outside Hurlbut Hall in a car, witnesses said.

A group of Tufts University students, and at least one Harvard first-year, threw a beer bottle at the car, said students who witnessed the altercation.

One Harvard police officer characterized the incident as "an alcohol-related event."

Gahan got out of the car and approached the group, asking for the students' names.

A scuffle ensued. Several punches were thrown, and at one point, a Tufts student had Gahan in a headlock, witnesses said.

Greg R. Blank '03 said he was in his Hurlbut room when he heard a woman scream "Assault!" outside his window. When he ran outside, the confrontation had already escalated to a pushing match, he said.

Blank said he began trying to break up the altercation, and the students turned to leave.

At that point, Blank said, Gahan's girlfriend grabbed one of the student's hats.

"I guess she figured that they wouldn't leave if she had their hat," Blank said.

He said he told Gahan's girlfriend to hand over the hat to avoid more violence.

"I was just trying to keep everyone apart," Blank said.

Assistant Dean of Freshman Philip A. Bean, who lives in a basement suite in Hurlbut, ran outside when the fight started, witnesses said.

More than 10 police officers, including motorcycle and mountain bike units from HUPD, responded to the fight. The students scattered and were pursued by Bean and the police, said Gavri S. Rosen '03, another witness.

Rosen said that in a moment of confusion, one HUPD officer chased Bean yelling, "Where do you think you're going?"

"It was very funny," Rosen said. "Dean Bean is very distinct."

While witnesses reported that neither Gahan nor his girlfriend was seriously injured, Rosen said there was a potential for greater violence.

"If there hadn't been a crowd gathering, she could've gotten hurt," she said.

Bean refused to comment on the incident, citing University policy not to discuss disciplinary matters. The CPD also could not comment because the matter is still under investigation.

Neither Tufts officials nor Gahan could be reached for comment.

HUPD Chief Francis "Bud" Riley said an investigation is still underway and would not comment further.

"The proctor and his girlfriend's account were far more credible than the [accounts of] others involved," one police officer said.

Another Pennypacker proctor said meetings to deal with the incident are being held this week.

"The matter is being taken very seriously by the Freshman Dean's Office," said one University official. "There is a serious potential for criminal and/or administrative action."