By Gabrielle Martin, Staff Reporter.
Investigation into the alleged sexual assault on Delta’s Campus last week has revealed the identity of the suspect and confirmed that he is a student at Delta College.
According to the Director of Public Safety at Delta, Steve Witzke, the suspect has been notified by the college and advised not to return to classes or campus until Title IX investigation being done by the college is concluded.
Meanwhile, it will be up to the Bay County Prosecutor’s Office whether charges will be filed in connection with the events in a college parking lot on Thursday, Oct 16.
According to Witzke , Delta College is required to conduct a Title IX investigation of the incident separate from the investigation being done by the Michigan State Police. The inquiry being done by Delta College is being conducted by Loyce Brown, Title IX Coordinator for the college.
Delta College’s Title IX page explains what Title IX is.
“Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 requires that all entities in receipt of any federal funds …. must prohibit sex discrimination in their education programs and activities … Title IX protects male and female students from sexual harassment by any college employee, another student, or a non-employee third party.”
Director Witzke also clarified why students weren’t informed of the incident until Sunday afternoon. The alleged sexual assault was reported to Midland County central dispatch on Saturday, Oct 18 in the afternoon. The Midland central dispatch then contacted Bay County dispatch who assigned he case over to Michigan State Police.
Witzke heard about the incident Sunday morning. After contacting MSP to confirm that the report had been filed, Director Witzke took steps to get the message out to the student body as quickly as possible.
Anyone with information regarding this incident or other incidents of this nature, please contact Public Safety at 989-686-9113 or the Title IX coordinator at 989-686-9547.
