Campus News
By Hannah Kremer, Managing Editor
Former THR1VE director Samuel Terry has been charged by the Hamilton County Municipal Court with two charges of voyeurism and attempted voyeurism. He pleaded not guilty as of last Friday.
The charges followed alleged interactions between Terry and a student in his office at the Gallagher Student Center on Dec. 5 and 6. The prosecution alleged that Terry had attempted to secretly record the victim in his underwear using a video recording device on Dec. 6. The affidavit filed in the Hamilton County Municipal Court states that the student was unaware of a previous attempt made on Dec. 5.
The student allegedly told a campus police officer that he realized the video recording device was running in Terry’s office as he was changing his clothes. Upon discovering the device, he turned it off.
The student further alleged that Terry walked back into the office, turned the device on again and the student changed clothes out of the camera’s view. It is reported that the student had no physical contact with Terry.
Former Thrive Director is Charged with Voyeurism after incident with student.
“The account of the alleged offense was very detailed and had a strong indicium of reliability,” the investigating officer stated in a sworn statement.
Terry had been the director of the THR1VE Center, a department launched last year as a First Gen Forward Network Institution, intended to create a wide array of resources and empower excellence among first-generation students at Xavier.
The university, in a formal written statement issued last Thursday, said it immediately initiated an investigation and placed Terry on administrative leave. Later, after further investigation, he was terminated from his position.
“Traditional reporting channels were utilized, and the University responded immediately following the protocols,” Vice President of Student Affairs and Chief Student Success Officer Dr. Kimberly Moore said. “The top priority is the safety of our students — in this case, it was the victim first and subsequently, the student body and our broader Xavier community.”
The judge set a $1,000 bond for Terry on each of the misdemeanors he faces, and he is set to return to court this week. Terry was also ordered by the judge to stay away from Xavier University and all students on campus. The university will continue to partner with law enforcement and other legal entities, according to Moore.
“THR1VE continues to be viewed as a trusted and mission-driven resource for students. Initial feedback from students indicates that they feel safe, supported and confident visiting the space and utilizing THR1VE’s services,” Assistant Vice President for Ignatian Belonging Dr. Daniel McSpadden said. “The THR1VE Center’s strong institutional support and positive impact will continue to be here to support students,” McSpadden continued.
McSpadden said they have seen no indication that engagement will decrease in light of these events. They also have not found evidence that the situation will affect their ability to recruit and hire qualified staff.
In the meantime, THR1VE maintains that recent staffing changes will likely lead to major improvements and growth, enabling it to remain a prominent facet of student progress.
“The Center has a clear vision focused on strengthening retention, deepening students’ sense of belonging and enhancing the overall student experience. These efforts will support hiring talented staff that will continue to support the programs and services for students to connect, thrive, and feel affirmed within the XU community,” McSpadden said.
