Victim blames ACC:

An Internet petition started by former ACC student Rita Pena, 24, is demanding the college admit liability for life-threatening injuries sustained in an attack near Rio Grande Campus that left her with only partial use of her left hand.

Pena was found by ACC police lying near West Avenue and 12th Street after being stabbed multiple times after walking to her car from her evening math class on Oct. 26. She fought off her attacker while sustaining critical wounds.

Reginald Cooper, a student of ACC and a resident at the Gary Job Corps training program in San Marcos, was arrested in relation to the attack.

The ACC Safety Petition, hosted at the online petition database PetitionSite, seeks monetary compensation from the college for leaving Pena vulnerable. She says that a lack of emergency call boxes and parking spaces contributed to her vulnerability at the campus. As a result of the scarce parking, many students leave their cars in surrounding neighborhoods, which at night are dark and empty of pedestrians and most traffic.

The petition has grown to 180 signatures of friends, family and supporters since launching in February.

Pena is also upset with what she perceives as backtracking by the school on the extent of compensation originally offered to her. She says that officials went back on their original offer once her condition improved.

According to Pena, while in the hospital, school officials offered her free college tuition and admitted that their safety measures were not "up to par," but all ACC ultimately provided was a refund and no incomplete in the class.

"They pretty much made it look like I had never enrolled that semester so my transcript wouldn't get messed up and my GPA wouldn't drop," she said.

Pena said that shortly after her recovery, officials revoked the original offer and sought to meet with Pena's mother. The meeting never happened.

"It never took place because I wouldn't allow it. I felt if ACC had something to say they should have contacted me," Pena said. "I am well over 18 and anything struck with my mom would not have been valid."

"I was astonished that once ACC realized I would be fine all things previously promised were revoked," Pena said.

Administrators dispute Pena's claims. Kathleen Christensen, Vice President of Student Support Success Systems; and Voncille Wright, Dean of Student Services, visited the hospital the morning after the attack. Christensen says that ACC offered a full refund on Pena's class and nothing else. Neither her nor Wright made any reference to ACC's safety measures being insufficient or contributing to Pena's attack, said Christensen.

Crowded parking blamed

"I attended Rio Grande in the past and it surprisingly used to be my favorite campus," Pena said. "I parked on the street at Rio Grande because that is considered normal. Many other students do it because of the lack of parking."

Student Government Association President Anastasiya Travina and other officers raised concerns over safety issues at Rio Grande with ACC President Stephen Kinslow during a private meeting on March 2. Travina told Kinslow that there were concerns about the risks young girls face when walking to their cars late at night.

"Although areas under the direct control of the college have not experienced violent crimes against students, it is a reality that those visiting a campus must at times park in areas that are not under the direct control of the college," said Christensen.

As a response, the ACC Police Department provides escorts for students, and conducts roving patrols through the areas around the campus. It was during such a patrol that Rio Grande Campus officers found Pena.

Administrators are also looking at using technology to increase awareness at school facilities. A recent security audit conducted by an outside vendor included recommendations for emergency call boxes and security cameras on campus. Once funding is appropriated, Rio Grande will be considered the initial location for the equipment, according to ACCPD Police Chief Frankie Waller.

Also, in order to alleviate the parking troubles at Rio Grande, the ACC Board of Trustees recently modified an existing plan to build a parking garage to alleviate some of the overcrowding. It is expected to be completed by the 2009 fall semester.

The Student Government Association has endorsed the call boxes, said Senate Chair Ivan Doyle.

"No one's saying the school hasn't done anything, but nobody knows what the school has done," said Doyle.

Doyle said that security issues have been at the forefront of SGA's agenda, and that the college administration, including the president, take the issue seriously. However, Doyle said, there are difficulties in informing students that their representatives and college administrators are actively involved.

"Look Mr. President, that's fine [the increase in campus security], but the students don't know that," Doyle said.

In a related story, the city of Austin has responded to crime rates and student concerns near the University of Texas. In response to a series of murders in the West Campus neighborhood, a short walk away from Rio Grande, the city last year installed call boxes in prominently lit areas.

Moving forward

Regardless of developments on campus, the attack will be forever a part Pena's life. She retains scars and has lost some use of her left hand. She says she still faces challenges involved in dealing with the emotional and physical trauma resulting from the attack.

"The whole situation still dumbfounds me," she said. "I was grateful to be alive. All I remember thinking is at least I am here, maybe some other girl wouldn't be."