LINCOLN, NE – The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Police Department is investigating two reported sexual assaults tied to campus housing, according to messages shared with students and the university crime log.
One report involves Harper Hall, where police said the incident happened Friday between 1 and 3 a.m. A second report involves the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity house, where the university crime log says the assault was reported Friday and occurred on Oct. 1 or 2.
Police said both matters are still under investigation. UNL officials also provided contact information for campus support services for people affected by sexual violence.
Police say Harper Hall assault happened in the early hours of Friday
In a message to students, UNLPD said the Harper Hall case was reported as a sexual assault that took place in the early morning hours of Friday. The department placed the window at 1 to 3 a.m.
Police described the suspect as a male about 19 years old with a tall, skinny build and short hair. Officers also said the person is known to the survivor.
No arrest or additional identifying details were included in the notice to students. UNLPD has not said whether the investigation has led to any immediate safety changes at the residence hall.
Sigma Alpha Epsilon case appears in the university crime log
The second investigation was listed in the university crime log as a sexual assault reported Friday at the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity house. The log says the alleged assault occurred on Oct. 1 or 2.
That timeline suggests the incident was reported days after it is believed to have happened. The university has not released further details about the location inside the house or the circumstances surrounding the report.
A Sigma Alpha Epsilon representative could not be reached immediately for comment. No public statement from the fraternity was included with the university’s notice.
UNL says both investigations remain open
Police said the cases are ongoing, and no resolution has been announced in either investigation. The campus alert to students focused on the existence of the reports and the timing of the alleged incidents.
Because the cases are still open, investigators have not disclosed whether they believe the incidents are connected. They also have not said whether there is any continuing threat to the campus community.
For now, the university is treating the reports as separate matters while police continue to review them. The notices did not include any court filings or criminal charges.
Campus support offices listed for survivors and students seeking help
UNL’s notice included several campus resources for survivors of sexual assault and violence. Students were directed to the Center for Advocacy, Response and Education, known as CARE, at [email protected] or 402-472-3553.
The university also listed Institutional Equity and Compliance at 402-472-3417 and Counseling and Psychological Services at 402-472-7450. Those offices can help connect students with advocacy, reporting options and mental health support.
The contact information was included as part of the university’s response to the reported assaults, alongside the reminder that support is available to anyone affected.
What the campus community knows so far
The available information is limited to the police notice, the university crime log and the attempted contact with a fraternity representative. Even so, the two reports are significant because they involve on-campus housing and were both brought to police within the same week.
UNLPD has not released more details about witnesses, evidence or whether either case involves a broader pattern. For students living in residence halls or Greek housing, the notices are likely to prompt renewed attention to personal safety and available campus resources.
As the investigations continue, any new findings would likely come from police or university officials through additional updates to students or the crime log.
How students can respond if they need support
UNL’s published contact list gives students several ways to seek help after a sexual assault report. CARE can be reached by email or phone, while Institutional Equity and Compliance and Counseling and Psychological Services also remain available.
Those offices can serve different needs, from advocacy and reporting guidance to emotional support. The university’s inclusion of the numbers underscores that officials want affected students to know help is available immediately.
Anyone who is in danger or needs urgent assistance would still need to contact emergency services or campus police directly. The university’s notice did not change that standard advice.
