More harassing calls made to DuBois House

Police close-mouthed on details At least 13 additional students have received harassing and threatening calls since Sunday night's bomb scare at DuBois College House, University Police Commissioner John Kuprevich said. Kuprevich said police believe the new calls are related, but he would not speculate as to who is making the calls or why. The calls were placed to eight students at DuBois, two at Van Pelt College House, two at Graduate Tower A and one student who lives at 40th and Locust streets, Kuprevich said. On Sunday, Kuprevich said, several DuBois House residents received racially harassing and threatening calls, and bomb threats were made against the dormitory, forcing its temporary evacuation. Kuprevich described the most recent calls as "racial and threatening." But he would not give any other information because, he said, it could damage the investigation. He did say, however, that it is possible to trace the calls. "Nothing with today's technology is impossible," said Philadelphia police Det. Price Mathis of the Conflict Resolution Unit, which is involved with the case. "The investigation is continuing." Philadelphia police are working with the University "to identify the perpetrator," Mathis said. Both Mathis and Kuprevich stressed that the investigation is not being taken lightly. "We have every intention of prosecuting if we catch the perpetrator," Kuprevich said. In the meantime, the University has taken some precautions to safe-guard students living in areas that have been the targets of harassment. Residential Living Director Gigi Simeone said the entrance to DuBois House is currently locked and students need keys to open the doors. But students with PENNcards will be admitted. Kuprevich said other precautions have been put in place, but would not comment on the specifics. Many students have condemned the phone calls. "It's affecting the whole campus," said College senior Nicole Brittingham. "It's not just limited to DuBois House, and that's being shown in the calls going all over campus. It's scarry." Brittingham, editor-in-chief of The Vision, added that incidents such as the calls make the campus feel "very threatening." "And it makes people fearful to even be here," she said, "because you never know what can happen." The University administration is trying to help those upset by the threats. "We're just trying to be here in the background to help them," said Associate Vice Provost for University Life Larry Moneta. "[And] there are other people in the vice provost's office trying bring them counseling and safety." In a joint statement issued by Interim President Claire Fagin, Executive Vice President Janet Hale, Interim Provost Marvin Lazerson, and Medical School Dean William Kelley, the administration said "the reports of bomb threats and harassing phone calls to residents of DuBois College House and other campus residences fill us with anger and sadness. "Anger that any member of our community has to endure such senseless and demented behavior. Sadness that there are people within or outside our community who have so little self-respect that they can engage in such behavior."