Students at Oregon State University’s Cascades campus in Bend are worried about their safety after alleged incidents of sexual assault and the Silver Rail Elementary School shooting.
Two incidents of sexual assault reportedly took place in OSU-Cascades’ only residential hall on Oct. 8 and 10. In a letter the university sent to students, officials said the victim did not know the assailant.
Then, the Silver Rail shooting happened, just a few miles away.
“These three distinct events happened within seven days of each other and have students concerned for their physical, sexual and emotional safety,” said Charlie Woekel, president of the Associated Students of Cascades Campus, in his comments to the OSU Board of Trustees on Friday.
An undated, provided photo of the Oregon State University-Cascades campus in Bend, Ore.
Hannah O'Leary / Courtesy of Oregon State University
Sexual violence can happen anywhere. But OSU-Cascades’ reports come shortly after five incidents were reported within the first week of classes at the University of Oregon’s Eugene campus, and as national conversations continue around the alleged 2024 rape case at Cornell University.
Woekel said campus safety hours have been expanded to 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in response to the alleged assaults.
But between the sexual assault reports and the shooting, he said student leaders are pressing on-campus partners to “re-examine and expand our emergency protocols.” That includes active shooter protocols and ensuring students and others on the Bend campus are aware of sexual violence prevention and response resources.
“Despite the anger, pain, and sadness we’ve been feeling as a campus community, our community has been unified to help one another get through these unprecedented times,” Woekel said.
OSU-Cascades was closed the Friday after the shooting. Classes resumed at the start of this week, as Bend-La Pine Schools remained closed. Silver Rail Elementary is closed indefinitely.
College student leaders have placed letter-writing stations around the Bend campus to send supportive messages to the Silver Rail parent-teacher organization. Student employees at OSU-Cascades’ Makerspace lab built an engraved memorial shrine. And Student Health and Wellness, along with the Student Counseling Center, created confidential drop-in sessions for anyone, Woekel explained, “whether directly impacted or not.”
OSU-Cascades Interim Chancellor and Dean Christine Pollard sent messages to students in the wake of these incidents.
“Creating a safe campus community is a shared responsibility,” she wrote after the sexual assault reports. “We are a close-knit campus, and I encourage you to look out for and support one another.”
Pollard’s messages included a list of both confidential and non-confidential resources for students affected by sexual violence. The incidents reported at the start of the month are still being investigated.
Board of Trustees Chair Karla Chambers spoke during Friday’s meeting about the hurt many OSU students and staff are feeling after the shooting.
“I want you to know that the entire OSU family stands with the Bend community,” Chambers said, responding directly to Woekel. “We know the hurt and healing will take a substantial amount of time, but that community is certainly in our thoughts.”
If you or someone you know may be a victim of sexual violence, confidential support, information and advice are available at the National Sexual Assault Hotline by calling 800-656-4673. Text chat is also available online.
Confidential crisis counseling and support is available 24/7 through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Call or text 1-800-985-5990. Spanish-language support is available by pressing 2.
