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SUNY Potsdam police investigating Wednesday sexual assault incident, college hosting online student support session tonight

Posted 4/14/21

POTSDAM — SUNY Potsdam University Police is investigating a reported sexual assault of a student in Lehman Park, which was reported as having taken place earlier this morning (Wednesday, April 14). …

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SUNY Potsdam police investigating Wednesday sexual assault incident, college hosting online student support session tonight

Posted

POTSDAM — SUNY Potsdam University Police is investigating a reported sexual assault of a student in Lehman Park, which was reported as having taken place earlier this morning (Wednesday, April 14).

The college is planning to host a virtual student support session this evening at 6:30 p.m., via Zoom, organized by the Counseling Center and the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. This was intentionally designed to be open just to students, to be able to provide trained support and create an open and safe space for you to share and to receive help, a college press release said.

Both staff counselors and peer counselors will be available during the session. Additionally, for anyone who cannot attend the session or does not feel comfortable doing so, college staff will be actively monitoring the request form to contact our peer counselors. The college will put you in touch immediately if you would like to talk to someone this evening.

A press release from the college said the investigation of the Wednesday incident began after a faculty member contacted University Police to report concerns about a student’s well-being.

The victim was quickly transported to Canton-Potsdam Hospital to receive medical treatment and care, supported by our partners at Renewal House.

University Police is actively seeking any information anyone may have.

If you have any information or would like to report a crime or safety concern, contact University Police by calling 315-267-2222, using one of the 28 blue light phones and 86 emergency red phones across campus, or by using the anonymous reporting form on the campus website.

SUNY Potsdam takes allegations of sexual violence very seriously, the college said.

For more information about our campus polices and procedures related to sexual misconduct, visithttps://www.potsdam.edu/about/safety/title-ix/policies-procedures.

The college notifies the public that the following resources are available, both on- and off-campus, to provide assistance to survivors of trauma and sexual assault/harassment:

• SUNY Potsdam Counseling Center: (315) 267-2330 – Van Housen Hall Room 131

• Renewal House: (315) 379-9845 – Offering on-campus advocate hours every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., located in Van Housen Extension Room 390. For information, email Elizabeth at renewalhouse_campus@verizon.net.

• Title IX: Katie Agar, student Title IX investigator (agarke@potsdam.edu) or Eric Duchscherer, employee Title IX investigator (duchsced@potsdam.edu)

• SUNY Potsdam University Police: (315) 267-2222 – Van Housen Extension, first floor

• Student Health Services: (315) 267-2377

In addition, the Counseling Center is already working on options to provide drop-in support and resources to individuals on campus, and will be following up today.