UPDATED: UPD investigating reported sexual assault on campus

University of South Dakota police are still investigating a reported sexual assault that was reported to officials March 19.

The incident is said to have happened in Coyote Village March 18. The incident is also being investigated under the university’s disciplinary process, according to a university statement.

The Vermillion Police Department has not been directly involved with the investigation because the university recently hired its own investigator for the UPD.

Matt Betzen, chief of police for the VPD, said his investigators met last week with UPD’s investigator to go over the details of the investigation so far.

“We will work with them to the best of our abilities to help with the case,” Betzen said.

Betzen said the VPD will continue to coordinate with the UPD as needed, but they are typically only brought in for major felonies.

Tena Haraldson, USD’s director of communications, said the university is handling the report with seriousness.

“There’s no incremental way to treat this,” she said. “We’re treating it the way we would treat any report of this.”

Pete Jensen, director of the UPD, said this incident appears to be an “isolated incident” and that students are not in any danger. He said the investigation is ongoing and that no further information is being released at this time.