Addy Kryger

PR Case Study
Lambiase
11/30/14
THE CASE
The University of Kansas, a 150-year-old public research and teaching institution
thats considered one of the most beautiful in the nation, is home to 28,000 students and
2,600 faculty. Their mission - to educate leaders, build healthy communities and make
discoveries that change the world - unites its diverse elements. A main value of the
university is to foster a multicultural environment in which the dignity and rights of the
individual are respected (www.ku.edu). Due to recent events and shortcomings, these
qualities of the university have been questioned. The aftermath and coverage of three
rapes that occurred on the same night, one at a fraternity house and two at an on-campus
residence hall, shed light on the universitys weakness in internal and external
communication, operations, and consistency among penalization.
Late Saturday night, Sept. 27, 2014, a female victim was allegedly raped in an
off-campus fraternity house known as Kappa Sigma. The fraternity was hosting a party
and the female victim was reportedly impaired (Arvesen, 2014, October 1). A few hours
later, approximately between 2 AM and 5 AM on Sept. 28, two males allegedly raped two
females in the on-campus Hashinger Residence Hall (Arvesen, 2014, October 10). The
Kappa Sigma victim reported the rape Monday morning to Lawrence police. The police
then informed the University of Kansas of this allegation the next day. The university
then immediately informed students of the situation through a campus-wide email. Later
that evening, the Kappa Sigma Fraternity was suspended from the university for an

indefinite period of time. Four days later, KU Greek Life formed a sexual assault task
force to create dialogue about consent and sexual assault (The Associated Press, 2014).
The Greek community was deeply hurt by this incident and felt an inherent responsibility
to take action in an effort to end sexual assault on their campus. In the weeks that
followed, the sexual assault task force held meetings where they implemented plans for
change and reviewed KUs sexual assault policies to suggest revisions (Harford, 2014,
October 20). They made it known that not every Greek organization was accustomed to
sexual assault.
The two females that were raped in the residence hall reported the incident to
KUs Public of Safety Office (PSO) on Friday, October 3, 2014. No news of this story
reached the public until The University Daily Kansan, the student newspaper, sent out a
tweet on Wednesday, Oct. 8 at 12:13 PM announcing that the two males in the residence
hall case had been arrested the previous day, one male from the University of Kansas and
one from Johnson County Community College. No campus-wide email was sent nor was
their previous coverage of this case by the student newspaper. Students everywhere were
outraged. Over the next week, the two males were charged with one felony count of rape
and bond was set at $50,000. Shortly after, both males posted bond and both returned to
their respective schools (Harford, 2014, October 15). In the meantime, the student
newspaper sent out a tweet stating the university decided to keep Kappa Sigma on
suspension for three more weeks.
There is no question that the university failed to effectively communicate key
information surrounding the residence hall assault. Jack Martin, director of strategic
communications in Public Affairs, said alerts are only sent to students when PSO needs

information from the public or campus community for an investigation, and also in the
case of an immediate threat or action that needs to be taken (Arvesen, 2014, October 10).
Martin, however, failed to address the concern voiced by residents and parents regarding
the ongoing threat that was faced by residents of the hall. An email should have been sent
out to students, especially ones that live in the hall, to warn them of the rape that had
occurred, inform them of the arrests, and remind them to be safe. There was also a
significant failure in operations, as they failed to maintain consistency, fairness, and
continuity among the different sexual assault cases. One rapist is free to walk campus and
attend classes, while an entire fraternity is still taking the blame for the actions of one
person. Once the fraternity case is solved, the university should seriously reflect on their
handling of these situations and change their policies to reflect equality among all parties.

TIMELINE OF EVENTS
Saturday, September 27: an impaired victim was allegedly raped in the off-campus
Kappa Sigma house
Sunday, September 28: between 2 AM and 5 AM, two men raped two females in the
Hashinger Residence Hall on campus
Monday, September 29 morning: Kappa Sigma victim reported rape to Lawrence police
Tuesday, September 30: University was notified of the Kappa Sigma alleged rape. Later
that evening, Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little approved interim suspension of Kappa
Sigma. Campus-wide email was sent out informing students and faculty of the kappa
sigma rape
Wednesday, October 1 morning: suspension letter was hand-delivered to the Kappa
Sigma fraternity.
- Later that morning (11:43 AM) @KansanNews tweeted about the suspension
- 12:23 PM Kappa Sigma sexual assault allegations are under investigation

Friday, October 3: two females reported Hashinger rape incidents to KU Public of

Safety Office (PSO); investigation ensued with no notification to the public
Sunday, October 5: KU Greek Life formed a sexual assault task force to create dialogue
about consent
Tuesday, October 7: two males were arrested for Hashinger rape
Wednesday, October 8: 12:13 PM @KansanNews releases a tweet announcing the arrest
of the two males connected with the Hashinger rape. This is the first time the student
body is aware of the Hashinger rape. Students are outraged
Thursday, October 9: both males are charged with one felony count of rape, bond set at
$50,000
Friday, October 10: University officials decide to keep Kappa Sigma on suspension for
three more weeks
Tuesday, October 14: Sexual Assault Task Force is reviewing KUs sexual assault
policies so they can suggest revisions
- Later that evening 21-year-old, William Noah McCoy, charged with one felony
count of rape, posts bail and is released from jail
Wednesday, October 15: John Harris Jossie, also charged with one felony count of rape,
posts bail and is released from jail at 7:51 PM
Tuesday, October 21: Greek sexual assault task force had first meeting and made plans
for change
Tuesday, November 18: Hearing held to determine status of Kappa Sigma suspension.
Monday, November 24: closed hearing took place between Kappa Sigma and student
affairs to determine if suspension is still appropriate. Awaiting results.

REFERENCES
Arvesen, Amelia. "Kappa Sigma Fraternity Suspended over Sexual Assault Allegations."
The University Daily Kansan. BLOX Content Management System, 1 Oct.
2014. Web. 30 Nov. 2014. <http://www.kansan.com/news/kappa-sigma-

fraternity-suspended-over-sexual-assault-allegations/article_542168f6-498d11e4-83fa-d7ac8c91eefe.html>.
Arvesen, Amelia. "University Student, Man Charged for Alleged Rapes in Hashinger
Hall." The University Daily Kansan. BLOX Content Management System, 10
Oct. 2014. Web. 30 Nov. 2014. <http://www.kansan.com/news/universitystudent-man-charged-for-alleged-rapes-in-hashinger-hall/article_b502f3784f01-11e4-9fe1-afb8b05f34da.html?TNNoMobile>.
The Associated Press. "KU Greeks Form Sexual Assault Task Force." The Kansas City
Star. N.p., 6 Oct. 2014. Web. 30 Nov. 2014. <http%3A%2F
%2Fwww.kansascity.com%2Fnews%2Fstate%2Fkansas
%2Farticle2530959.html>.
Harford, McKenna. "Greek Task Force Wants to Take Active Role in Sexual Assault
Issues." The University Daily Kansan. BLOX Content Management System,
20 Oct. 2014. Web. 30 Nov. 2014. <http://www.kansan.com/news/greek-taskforce-wants-to-take-active-role-in-sexual/article_1d6531cc-58cd-11e4-a977abe2d5309c76.html>.
Harford, McKenna. "Student, Man Arrested in Alleged Hashinger Rape Cases Leaves Jail
on Bond." The University Daily Kansan. BLOX Content Management System,
15 Oct. 2014. Web. 30 Nov. 2014. <http://www.kansan.com/news/student-manarrested-in-alleged-hashinger-rape-cases-leaves-jail/article_f8cbc310-53fb11e4-bdf0-5f177e3851bd.html>.
"The University of Kansas." About KU . N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2014.
<http://www.ku.edu/about/>.