SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) -- Reaction to the alleged sexual assault by two members of the USD football team has reached far and wide, with alumni from all over sending their support to the victim and
Maren Colon graduated from both Sioux Falls Lincoln and USD, she told KELO.com news her immediate reaction was "you never want to hear something like that happen [at a place that] you care about so much. The next reaction is what happened is absolutely terrible and no person should ever be put in that situation." She went on to say that focus at this time should be on all parties involved. "Especially the victim, that she can get the proper medical and mental health treatment."
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Colon was critical of the initial statement that Tena Haraldson, the University's director of communication gave to the campus newspaper which said in part "It’s just an unfortunate situation. It hurts the image of USD, it hurts the athletic team, the football team is going to be affected by this.” The Sioux Falls native called those comments short-sighted. "I think that quote cared more about the reputation of the athletic department, the football team, and the university. That shouldn't be the focus. The focus should be making sure that our students are always taken care of, that they are safe, secure, and that their education is top of mind."
Despite that message Colon does feel that the University is handling the situation well. "As long as they cooperate with the University PD and Vermillion PD, that's what they can do." Colon recalled an incident from her time on the Vermillion campus where an individual was caught watching female students sleep at night through their windows, which campus security handled very well. "They made sure security was in dorm rooms, that Resident Assistants were aware and watching for signs of suspicious behavior." She added that she always felt safe on campus, and while that might not be the case for every student Colon praised the University for the resources and counselors it made available for all different types of traumatic situations.
Colon currently works in Washington, D.C.
The University has called for a town hall discussion on the matter for Monday, November 13th at an on campus location TBD.