by Lydia Fielder
FAYETTEVILLE, ARK. — A reported incident in a parking lot behind Phi Mu sorority has women concerned for their safety..
Phi Mu junior Mary Fracchia said she was getting out of her car after dark in Lot 35 behind her sorority house when she said she overheard what appeared to be a man struggling with a woman beside his truck.
“My first instinct was that something wasn’t right here, and I need to go get help,” Fracchia said.
Fracchia said she ran into Phi Mu to alert other people. Senior Kelsie Everett was among the three girls who ran back out to the parking lot to assess the situation. They said when they got there, the woman was gone. The man then got in his truck and drove away, they said.
“I just think that safety is something that needs to be addressed so, so badly on this campus,” Everett said. “We park in this dark lot every single night. Anyone could get to know our habits and know about what time girls are gonna be out there walking by themselves.”
UAPD confirmed they received a call from Fracchia reporting the alleged incident, but they did not receive a report from a victim. Therefore, they currently do not have an open investigation.
In a campus-wide email, UAPD said most of the calls regarding suspicious activity the university has received relate to situations involving students walking alone.
“Always be aware of your surroundings,” Cpl. Allen Porter said. “If you feel like you’re being chased or followed or something like that, don’t go directly to your residence.”
Students can download the RAVE Guardian safety app to check in with family, friends, UAPD or others to help stay safe both on and off campus.
UAPD says to report suspicious activity or a potential crime after it has occurred, call or text UAPD at 479-575-2222 as soon as possible. Police officers will follow up.