CU Students On Edge After Sexual Assault In Dorm Room
BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4) - Police in Boulder are searching for the man who sexually assaulted a student at the University of Colorado.
The attack happened around 2:10 a.m. Saturday inside of Hallett Hall, a residence hall where students live on campus.
Some students who live at the dorm were feeling on edge after an email alert was issued by campus police.
Police described the suspect as a 5-foot-9 white college-aged male with a medium build and dark, short curly hair. He was reportedly wearing tan pants and a white t-shirt.
Some students said that the description was too vague to be helpful.
"I know a few different people who fit the description of the person we were told about in the email, so it's not really a comfort," said Tessa Schmit, a CU Freshman who lives at Hallett Hall.
Campus police were not able to say if the suspect broke in, if he was invited in, or if he may have lived in the residence hall.
The lack of information left some students feeling frustrated.
"As a resident living in Hallet Hall, we need to understand whether or not this person lives here, whether or not they are still here," Schmit said.
The co-ed dorm has a key-card system of entry, but some students felt that their security was threatened after the attack that left many questions unanswered.
"Whether it was a groping and then the girl stopped it immediately, or whether it got to the point where there was a physical altercation, and this girl got messed up ... we don't know how dangerous this (suspect) is, and that's really unfortunate because it's the weekend. Kids are coming back (to the dorm) in all different states, and they need to know that they're safe," said Schmit.
Federal law requires timely disclosure of major crimes, including sexual assaults.
Campus police said the disclosure requirement had prompted their release of the initial information reported.
A police spokesperson said officers were waiting to obtain details from the victim about the attack and the suspect.
Melissa Garcia has been reporting for CBS4 News since March 2014. Find her bio here, follow her on Twitter @MelissaGarciaTV, or send your story idea to mkgarcia@cbs.com.
