Editor’s note: This article was initially published in The Daily Gazette, Swarthmore’s online, daily newspaper founded in Fall 1996. As of Fall 2018, the DG has merged with The Phoenix. See the about page to read more about the DG.
On Tuesday morning, police officers accompanied senior college officers to the dorm room of a freshman living in Wharton, investigating a threat of violence.
According to Dean of Students Jim Larimore, the College was alerted to the posting “by a student who emailed Public Safety.” Following the College’s standard protocol, the Dean’s Office contacted the Police Department, ITS, and a select few college officers, including Associate Vice President of Facilities Stu Hain and Housing Coordinator Liz Derickson ’01.
Alisa Giardinelli, from the Office of News and Information, confirmed that the police were involved in the initial planning meetings.
While there was not any actual threat to students, Larimore told the Gazette that “we believe the College’s response to this situation was motivated by a desire to protect the safety of the student and the campus community, and we believe that our response and follow up has been appropriate.”
At this time, however, the case is out of the College’s hands. Because the police were involved, the district attorney’s office is responsible for deciding how to pursue the case.
Sounds like the administration is gettting to know the District Attorney’s office pretty well these days.