A Saint Mary’s employee was arrested for voyeurism Tuesday after he admitted to allegations of observing students in a restroom in Le Mans Hall, according to director of media relations Gwen O’Brien.
A report from WNDU named 73-year-old David Summerfield as the employee.
In an email sent Tuesday afternoon, Saint Mary’s President Carol Ann Mooney said a co-worker reported suspicious behavior on Monday afternoon. Superiors immediately confronted the employee and within two hours, he was suspended without pay and escorted from campus, Mooney’s email said.
“At this time his employment with the College has been terminated and he has been banned from campus. Security will enforce that,” Mooney wrote in the email. “Early Monday evening, we notified the St. Joseph County Special Victims Unit, which began an immediate police investigation and this morning he was arrested for voyeurism."
Mooney apologized for the incident and invited students, faculty and staff to an assembly Tuesday afternoon that was closed to the media.
“The safety, privacy and security of our students are our primary concerns,” Mooney said. “This type of behavior is repugnant and Saint Mary’s College will not tolerate it. … We have taken measures that prevent anyone else from being able to spy into restrooms. In addition, we are evaluating all space on campus to ensure privacy.
The email directed students to seek counseling or support through Women’s Health or Campus Ministry if needed.
