Non-Student Gains Access to Mertz Hall

A man unaffiliated with the university gained access to Mertz hall around 9:45 p.m. Sept. 8, where he verbally assaulted students and entered student’s rooms before fleeing the scene, according to a Sept. 9 email from the Student Division of Development. 

Campus Safety was notified of the incident, but the man had already left the building by the time they arrived, according to the Sept. 9 email. The man is believed to have been unarmed, and there were no official reports of sexual misconduct, according to the alert.

“First and foremost, your safety and well-being are our highest priority, and I want to reassure you that our Campus Safety department and Residence Life teams are taking every possible step to ensure that our campus remains a secure and supportive environment,” Dr. Keith Champagne, vice president of student development, wrote in the email to students. 

The email said the incident is currently being investigated by the university “as a case of criminal trespass of property and battery.” There were no official reports to the university of possessions being stolen. 

Staff and residence hall desks were notified as the incident was occuring, according to the email. All students who interacted with the man directly were contacted by the university afterwards.

Students were reminded in the email to be mindful of who they allow into university buildings and be alert of their surroundings.Those with information on the incident are encouraged to reach out to Campus Safety at 773-508-SAFE or the Chicago Police Department at 911 or 312-744-8263.