UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- State College Borough Police have filed charges against a Penn State student in an Oct. 4 assault. According to the police investigation, Matthew Chandlee, 18, has been charged with simple assault and harassment in connection with an attack on another male, a visitor from outside the Commonwealth.
According to police, Chandlee attacked the victim on North Burrowes Road between 1 and 2 a.m. on Oct. 4, allegedly after learning he is gay. Chandlee, from Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania, is an 18-year-old student at Penn State Altoona. He is in his first-semester studying in the liberal arts.
A news release has been made available by the State College Police Department and is available at http://www.statecollegepa.us/list.aspx?PRVMSG=429
"In this case, as in all others, it is critical that we afford due process to the individual charged and that we not draw conclusions about guilt or innocence,” said Damon Sims, vice president for Student Affairs. “However, broadly speaking, any violence that causes this measure of physical and emotional harm to an individual deeply harms our community, too. We must continue to do all we can to prevent such behavior and work together to promote a safe, welcoming and respectful environment for all members of our University community.”
"Our community's fundamental values are reflected not by any single unconscionable act, but by the countless expressions of concern that have poured forth since the act was first made public through social media. The deep compassion for this victim is testimony to the goodness and decency that lie at the core of our community. It is our sincere hope that he continues to recover well."
Information about the individual charged is in the hands of Penn State’s Office of Student Conduct. In keeping with Penn State's established process for handling alleged criminal activity of this kind, the accused student will be subject to the University’s conduct process. As a matter of longstanding practice, Penn State does not disclose details of any individual's course through the conduct process, including the outcome of an investigation, or any resulting sanction should a student be found to have violated the Code of Conduct. Penn State is committed to maintaining student confidentiality in its processes.
Sims encouraged all Penn Staters and members of the community to report assault to police by calling 911 or 814-863-1111, or by using the online crime reporting form at http://www.police.psu.edu/psu-police/report-crime.cfm. In addition to contacting police, students who feel they are threatened can contact Penn State’s LGBTQA Student Resource Center; the Office of Student Conduct; or the Affirmative Action Office. Resources also are available through Counseling and Psychological Services on campus for those who wish to talk.