A man seen lurking around the University of Memphis campus Monday during the Registered Student Organization fair has been banned from the university after several female students reported he was following them.
“It started on Monday during the RSO fair when this guy was sitting in front of the sorority tables watching all the girls,” one unnamed student of the University said. “Every time I turned around to see if he was just sitting there he'd give me a creepy smile and wave.”
The female student declined to give her name for safety reasons.
The RSO fair has been a staple first-day event of the University for more than 20 years. The purpose is to urge new or returning students to join one of the University’s many organizations. The fair usually attracts a lot of students.
The unnamed student was recruiting for her sorority at the fair when she noticed the man watching her.
“Campus police came to talk to the man, and he eventually left,” she said. “But as I was walking to my car with a friend after the fair was over, he jumped in front of us and came running towards us.”
The students hid in the recruitment and orientation office and called campus police. When police arrived and took their statement, the officer suggested the students let him accompany them to their cars. Upon leaving, the officer noticed the man hiding in the bushes by the police car.
“He is not a student and did not have any legitimate business on campus, so he was trespassed from the property and notified that he could be arrested if he returned,” Director of Police Operations Derek Myers said.
The man is described as a 24-year-old white male who usually wears baggy jeans with chains. He has been known to carry a guitar. He also has been seen on neighboring streets around campus, particularly on Mynders Avenue and Brister Street.
Anyone who disrupts normal activities of the campus, violates policy or violates the law can be banned from the University, which is a public property, Myers said.
Campus police urge students to be observant of their surroundings and call police services at 678-4357 if they see anything or anyone suspicious. The University prides itself in being a safe campus and is proactive in protecting the students.
“In the case of a person showing concerning behavior, pay particular attention to descriptors that can help us find and identify them such as clothing, height, weight and hair color,” he said.
