TULSA -- A recent arrest of a University of Tulsa student is raising questions over whether the university did enough to warn students of a possible sexual predator on campus.
The school sent out several "campus alert" emails since February regarding someone sneaking in though unlocked doors at the campus apartments.
But, as 2 Works for You found out, students were only notified of any possible sexual assaults after the suspect was arrested.
Tuesday’s campus alert email was the sixth in a series of alerts sent to students and staff at TU about an intruder. Only the most recent email mentions anything about possible sexual assaults that a university spokesperson admits were reported months ago.
Word of Luis Molina's arrest spread quickly across campus, but for female students living in the Mayo Village apartments at TU, this wasn't the first time many of them have heard of or come in contact with him.
"I was one of the people that the intruder came in on. I woke up and he was standing over my bed," said TU student Annie Sohmer.
Sohmer is a TU soccer player who says her encounter with Molina changed her life. "I wouldn't go anywhere alone period for several weeks and especially at night and I still won't go anywhere alone at night I carry a pocket knife on me," she said.
The first email about a reported intruder went out February 24. 2 Works for You asked the university why the alerts didn't include any information about reports of touching until after the suspect was arrested.
University officials say they didn't know about the assault until after another round of interviews.
They didn't include that information in subsequent emails.
When we asked if those details should have been included, a spokesperson said “The university policy is to include as much pertinent information as possible when sending safety alerts to campus.”
"I do trust campo [sic] I think they do a great job with what they do, but I think I'll read them with more caution and take it to more take it to hear what they're telling me take it more seriously," said TU student Kathryn Keenan.
While many students still feel safe here, some say the alerts should have gone further.
"Because all of the emails that we got were just that somebody was you know breaking in which doesn't necessarily give the whole story," Sohmer said.
Molina is facing a rape charge connected to cell phone video police say shows him raping an unconscious student.
"I think the sexual assault aspect changes it completely it's a lot more dangerous a lot creepier, way more thought provoking and scary," said student Katie Killeen.
Police found the video when investigating Molina in a series of burglaries. Detectives say he is also considered a suspect in two other sexual assaults.
We asked if the university is planning on making any changes in the future to address safety concerns. The university responded by email saying the following:
“TU officials are consistently reviewing protocol and considering how best to communicate important information such as security alerts to the campus community. The safety of our students is always our priority.”
Below is a statement from the University of Tulsa about campus safety and available resources.
“TU officials are consistently reviewing protocol and considering how best to communicate important information such as security alerts to the campus community. The safety of our students is always our priority.In addition to campuswide emails reminding students to keep doors and windows locked and to be aware of their surroundings, The University of Tulsa conducts security presentations for new students (freshmen and transfers) each August during orientation and for all residence hall students during floor meetings. Throughout the academic year, TU Housing staff periodically hangs notices on doorknobs that remind students to lock their doors. Officials today are reviewing those measures to determine what else may need to be done to ensure campus safety. With regard to sexual violence, the university requires all students, faculty and staff to complete online training. Additionally, TU offers self-defense courses, bystander intervention training, counseling and psychological services, awareness programming and links to off-campus services.”
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