Since returning to campus in mid-August, four rooms in Gate House have reported several personal items taken. Part of Brown Commons, Gate House is Colgate University’s only residential hall dedicated exclusively to first-year students. All of the students involved in the investigation believe that their rooms were unlocked at the time of the theft.
First-year Ally Shulman described her experience with the theft.
“On move-in day, I set up my room and plugged in a little lamp on my nightstand. It was gold with a basket top,” Shulman said.
Around 2 p.m. on Aug. 24, which was arrival day, Shulman took a video of her room, which included the lamp.
“Then my roommate later in the day took a video of our room to show her friends, and my lamp was gone in the video,” she explained. “This video was taken around 6 p.m. That night, we realized that my roommate’s Gucci perfume was gone as well.”
After going to her floor’s Community Leader (CL), Shulman learned that a similar event happened to another room in Gate House with students missing their earrings, planner and lamps.
Fellow first-year Kaitlin Dowling also had some items stolen.
“I woke up the morning after move-in day and realized that my planner had been stolen off my desk,” Dowling said.
In response to the thefts, Campus Safety has increased both vehicle and foot patrols in and around Gate House. Additionally, on Aug. 26, Director of Campus Safety Terri Steward sent a warning to the Colgate community via email, reminding students to take precautions such as locking their doors and storing valuables.
“The thefts appear to have occurred between 1:55 p.m. on Sunday, August 24, 2025, and 2 p.m. on Monday, August 25, 2025,” the email read. “If you are in possession of items that do not belong to you, you can return them to Campus Safety with no questions asked.”
Christina Belt, assistant director & lead investigator at Campus Safety, shared her insights on the surge in reported crimes.
“Campus Safety is actively investigating this case. We maintain a close working relationship with the Hamilton Police Department and collaborate with them when appropriate,” Belt said. “What may appear like an uptick in crime may be the result of more consistent community reporting and more thorough investigation and documentation by Campus Safety officers, ensuring concerns are addressed promptly and resources are effectively allocated.”
Despite these thefts, Belt emphasized the enduring safety and security of Colgate’s campus, relative to national standards.
“Colgate remains an extremely safe campus,” Belt said. “In both the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 academic years, thefts accounted for less than 1% of all calls Campus Safety responded to. Compared with national benchmarks from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program, Colgate’s crime rates are significantly lower than those at many other institutions and in surrounding communities. I believe that any increase in reported incidents reflects our community’s commitment to transparency and safety, not a rise in actual risk.”
Given Colgate’s relatively low crime rates, Belt offered the following recommendations: lock your doors and windows, set clear expectations with suitemates about security, do not loan out your room key or student ID, do not leave personal items unattended and get to know the people in your residence halls.
Students can report suspicious activity immediately to Campus Safety at 315-228-7333 or through the Colgate Guardian app.
