University of Arkansas Police (UAPD) opened an active investigation on Sunday morning, November 8, after a report of rape was made at the Phi Delta Theta fraternity house on the Fayetteville campus. The incident was logged in the department’s daily crime log, which now shows six reported rapes at the university for 2026.
Investigation process
Assistant Chief Matt Mills emphasized that UAPD treats all reports with the utmost seriousness. “We take all of these reports very, very seriously,” he said. When a report is received, officers gather initial information, notify command staff and investigators, and then move forward with interviews, witness identification, and review of any available video footage. The case will be forwarded to the prosecutor’s office, which will decide whether criminal charges are warranted.
Recent campus reports
The crime log lists five other incidents this semester: the Phi Delta Theta house on Nov. 8, Lot 330 on Nov. 1, the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity house on Oct. 31, Pomfret Hall on Oct. 7, and Maple Hill on Oct. 5. All are marked as active investigations. The log notes that these entries are reports of rape; they do not confirm that a crime occurred or that charges will be filed.
University support services
The University’s Sexual and Relationship Violence Center offers confidential support, advocacy and resources for students who have experienced sexual or relationship violence. Director Mary A. Wyandt‑Hiebert explained that the center helps students understand their options, provides counseling, and works to ensure they feel safe on campus. “We will help them understand what’s going on and what their resources are, what their reporting options are, and really just spend whatever time is necessary to help that student feel safe and supported,” Wyandt‑Hiebert said.
Wyandt‑Hiebert also noted that the university is currently in what is known as the “red zone” for campus sexual assault, a period when more than half of assaults on college campuses occur. This typically spans the week before classes begin through the Thanksgiving break, a time when new social situations, parties and alcohol use increase.
Call for community assistance
UAPD encourages anyone who has experienced sexual violence or who has information about an incident to contact law enforcement. The department stresses that reporting helps protect the campus community and can lead to timely intervention.
What students can do
Students who need confidential assistance can reach out to the Sexual and Relationship Violence Center for counseling, safety planning and information about reporting options. The center’s staff are trained to handle disclosures with sensitivity and to guide survivors through the university’s processes.
As the investigation proceeds, UAPD will continue to update the public on any developments, while respecting the privacy of those involved.
Original reporting: 40/29 News KHBS Fort Smith (local) — read the source article.
