Penn State: Simmons Hall Trespassing under Investigation

Penn State police are investigating several criminal-trespass incidents reported at Simmons Hall this month, the university announced Friday.

In the most recent incident, reported Thursday, a man was seen in a second-floor women’s bathroom with what appeared to be a recording device, according to a University Park police report. Two women students told police that the man was trying to videotape the bathroom area. He also was seen that day in a hallway on a women’s floor, police said.

‘Other reports of similar incidents from earlier in October also have recently surfaced,’ a university news release reads.

The suspect in the Oct. 21 incident is described as a pale white male with a slender build, medium height, brown hair, acne and a prominent Adam’s apple. A composite sketch released by university police is posted to the right of this article.

Officers have talked with about 70 Simmons Hall residents as part of their investigation, according to Penn State. A number of floor meetings about the incidents were held there this week.

Penn State reported that routine building checks at Simmons have been ramped up. While surveillance cameras operate in many areas of campus, according to the university, they’re not set up in bathrooms — because of privacy reasons.

The university has issued several safety reminders to the community, including these:

• Dorm residents should not allow others to follow them into their respective buildings without swiping identification cards.

• Don’t prop open doors to residence halls.

• Dorm residents should follow the established escort policy for visitors.

• Lock dorm-room doors.

• Stay in well-lit areas.

• Upon seeing suspicious people anywhere on or near campus, call Penn State police at (814) 863-1111 or 911.

The university noted that police are relying ‘on the alertness of residents to provide more information’ about the Simmons incidents. Anyone with information about the incidents — including anyone who may be able to identify the suspect — can may remain anonymous in sharing details with police, according to Penn State. Information also my be submitted through the Penn State University Police Silent Witness website, at https://www.police.psu.edu/witness/.