2008 Woodie Awards
SectionsSolicitors told to leave campus
Man offered magazines, dates
Ashley Christopher
Issue date: 11/13/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
A group of three responsible for soliciting magazine sales on campus has been stopped by Springfield police.
Two weeks ago, a man was seen in the Blair-Shannon residence hall soliciting magazine sales to residents, Teresa Frederick, Blair-Shannon hall director said. Frederick has been handling the situation firsthand.
"The man would come into the building in the late afternoon," Denise Baumann, assistant director of education and development said. "He would then tell them he is with Fidelity Reader Service, and talk them into charging $60.00 on their credit cards."
Baumann said that the man appeared to be targeting the solicitation at women. At times, the man would persuade one woman to agree to go out with him, she said. He would then go down the hall telling other residents that one of the women on the floor is going to date him.
The residence hall's staff was immediately alerted of the situation, and signs were posted throughout the building encouraging students to make smart choices regarding their personal information, Frederick said. Students were also asked to contact a member of the hall's staff if they came into contact with him.
The man was seen throughout the week in Blair-Shannon, as well as in the PSU. Another man and a woman were also seen in the two buildings soliciting magazine sales, Frederick said.
According to the university's Advertising, Distribution, Solicitation and Facility Usage Policy, "door-to-door solicitation in university residence halls, academic or administrative buildings is strictly prohibited."
The policy also said soliciting to any member of the university's faculty, staff or student body anywhere on campus is also prohibited.
"No Solicitation" signs are posted above the entrances of every residence hall, Frederick added.
Frederick said Springfield police came into contact with the solicitors late in the week, and they were told to stop the solicitation.
"Actions taken by both the Springfield police and the campus substation have been appropriate," she said.
Springfield police were unavailable for comment on the situation.
While Frederick was unsure of the exact number of students affected by the situation, she said none of the solicitors were Missouri State students.
Neither Frederick nor Baumann were aware if the same group is soliciting at off-campus locations.
The solicitors have not been seen on campus since being contacted by the police, but students are urged to immediately alert campus police if they are seen again, Frederick said.
Two weeks ago, a man was seen in the Blair-Shannon residence hall soliciting magazine sales to residents, Teresa Frederick, Blair-Shannon hall director said. Frederick has been handling the situation firsthand.
"The man would come into the building in the late afternoon," Denise Baumann, assistant director of education and development said. "He would then tell them he is with Fidelity Reader Service, and talk them into charging $60.00 on their credit cards."
Baumann said that the man appeared to be targeting the solicitation at women. At times, the man would persuade one woman to agree to go out with him, she said. He would then go down the hall telling other residents that one of the women on the floor is going to date him.
The residence hall's staff was immediately alerted of the situation, and signs were posted throughout the building encouraging students to make smart choices regarding their personal information, Frederick said. Students were also asked to contact a member of the hall's staff if they came into contact with him.
The man was seen throughout the week in Blair-Shannon, as well as in the PSU. Another man and a woman were also seen in the two buildings soliciting magazine sales, Frederick said.
According to the university's Advertising, Distribution, Solicitation and Facility Usage Policy, "door-to-door solicitation in university residence halls, academic or administrative buildings is strictly prohibited."
The policy also said soliciting to any member of the university's faculty, staff or student body anywhere on campus is also prohibited.
"No Solicitation" signs are posted above the entrances of every residence hall, Frederick added.
Frederick said Springfield police came into contact with the solicitors late in the week, and they were told to stop the solicitation.
"Actions taken by both the Springfield police and the campus substation have been appropriate," she said.
Springfield police were unavailable for comment on the situation.
While Frederick was unsure of the exact number of students affected by the situation, she said none of the solicitors were Missouri State students.
Neither Frederick nor Baumann were aware if the same group is soliciting at off-campus locations.
The solicitors have not been seen on campus since being contacted by the police, but students are urged to immediately alert campus police if they are seen again, Frederick said.
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