The UH Police Department released a security alert Dec. 11 warning the campus community to be vigilant after a female student reported being sexually assaulted on the weekend of Nov. 30.
According to the alert, UHPD suspects the use of a date-rape drug during the incident, but UHPD Captain Brad Wigtil declined to comment on the case because of the ongoing investigation.
The main suspect is a known Hispanic male, according to the release, although UHPD declined to elaborate on the description and said that they are not working on the case with the Houston Police Department.
Date-rape drugs such as rohypnol (also known as roofies), can cause amnesia and muscle relaxation, according to the Web site MedicineNet.com.
"I really want to encourage anyone who is a victim of date rape to report it to University police or HPD," Wigtil said. "We really want to help the victim get the support they need."
No weapon was used during the attack, according to the alert, but the incident has some campus residents concerned about their safety.
"I just feel like someone should have seen or heard something going on," public relations senior Kirby Williams said. "Living on campus is supposed to be an advantage, not a safety risk."
University studies junior Quentin Colvin, a Cougar Place resident, also said that security is not being made a priority.
"There is no security at Cougar Place," Colvin said. "The only security is that after 9 p.m. you have to swipe a card to enter and a lot of the time the gate is just left open. I think we should have a 24-hour security guard at the entrance of the building."
A service available to the campus community is Cougar Patrol, a police escort, which students can access by calling (713) 743-3333.
The UHPD Web site also warns students to be careful and lock doors and windows when alone, to stay in well-lit public areas at night and to report any suspicious behavior to UHPD or HPD.
