Bend Campus Safety Runs 24-Hour Shifts

Oregon State University’s Bend campus is operating under a new security model after a series of local violent events.

University officials extended campus safety patrols to a 24-hour, seven-day schedule in direct response to two reported sexual assaults.

The assaults occurred on Oct. 8 and Oct. 10 in the campus’s only residential hall. University officials stated in a letter that the victim did not know the assailant, and investigations into both incidents are currently underway.

Charlie Woekel, president of the Associated Students of Cascades Campus, presented the changes to the OSU Board of Trustees during a meeting on Friday.

Woekel noted that three distinct events occurred within seven days, including a shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School located a few miles from campus.

He said, “These three distinct events happened within seven days of each other and have students concerned for their physical, sexual and emotional safety.”

Student leaders are now urging campus partners to review and expand emergency protocols, specifically those designed for active shooter situations.

They also want to ensure that students are aware of existing sexual violence prevention and response resources.

OSU-Cascades closed on the Friday following the shooting and reopened for classes at the start of the current week.

Bend-La Pine Schools remained closed during that period, while Silver Rail Elementary is closed indefinitely.

Student Health and Wellness and the Student Counseling Center have opened confidential drop-in sessions for the campus community.

Interim Chancellor and Dean Christine Pollard sent messages to students following the assault reports, emphasizing that creating a safe campus is a shared responsibility among the close-knit community members.