Charles A. Anderson/The Mossy Log
As the college continues to investigate a series of suspected arson incidents in Copeland Residence Hall, campus officials and local authorities used an April 2 community meeting to address student concerns, outline safety measures and discuss the ongoing investigation.The meeting, attended by Campus Safety leadership, Campus Living staff, and representatives from Portland Police Bureau and Portland Fire & Rescue, provided updates on the investigation which began earlier this semester after the first suspected arson attempt on Jan. 25.
On April 3, Campus Living sent the notes to all Copeland residents via email.
Director of Campus Safety Jeremy Ranft emphasized that additional safety precautions have already been implemented. These measures include increased security presence in the residence hall, particularly during late-night and early-morning hours, and continued restrictions on building access. Only Copeland residents and authorized staff are permitted entry, and students were urged not to allow unknown individuals into the building.
Ranft noted that all reports on the incidents are being shared with the investigators and reviewed in coordination with city agencies. Detective Meredith Hopper of the Portland Police Bureau was at the meeting and confirmed that the fires are being treated as intentional acts. She stressed the seriousness of the situation, noting that first-degree arson is a federal crime punishable by up to seven years in prison.
“This is not a minor issue,” the notes read, with Hopper adding that the case is currently a top priority for investigators. Authorities are in near-daily communication with the college through both Campus Safety and the institution’s Emergency Operations Committee. Several students have already been interviewed by police, and officials continue to encourage anyone with information to come forward, either through anonymous tip lines or by contacting local authorities.
At the meeting, students raised questions about preventative measures, including the potential installation of surveillance cameras. While current institutional policy prohibits cameras in residence halls due to an expectation of privacy, college leadership is exploring that possibility. As of April 8, no final decisions have been made by President Robin Holmes-Sullivan.
Another major concern from Copeland residents involved their restricted kitchen access, a policy implemented on March 4, after at least five small fires in the kitchens had occurred. Campus Living staff acknowledged the inconvenience, but said the restriction successfully reduced fire alarms for a full month. Officials indicated the policy will remain in place until the responsible party is identified or the risk is otherwise mitigated.
Safety guidance was also a key focus of the meeting. Residents were advised that in the event of smoke blocking an exit, they should shelter in place, seal door gaps with towels and call 911. Officials said that in extreme situations when fire blocks exits and rescue is not immediately possible, upper-floor residents may need to escape through windows, though they emphasized this as a last resort. Detective Jason Anderson stressed that smoke inhalation poses the greatest danger in most fires and warned against attempting evacuation through heavy smoke.
Students were reminded to treat every fire alarm as a real emergency. “Alarm fatigue” has become a concern, Hopper said, but each alarm activation should be taken seriously, with residents evacuating quickly if it is safe to do so.
Hopper also stated there is currently no evidence that suggests the individual responsible intends to harm others, though they emphasized that fire-setting behavior is inherently dangerous and unpredictable.
Investigators are using multiple data sources, including keycard access records, to track building access during the incidents. However, staffing limitations prevent interviewing every resident after each alarm, making community reporting critical.
Theresa Brostowitz also addressed rumors and clarified that incidents from the previous semester, which were largely caused by cooking mishaps, are not connected to the current investigation, which represents a clear escalation.
Despite the severity of the situation, campus leaders highlighted that fire safety systems have functioned effectively. Early detection systems, including smoke alarms and automatic stove shutoffs, have prevented fires from spreading and triggering sprinkler systems.
Students are urged to contact Hopper at meredith.hopper@police.portlandoregon.gov or Campus Safety at safety@lclark.edu with any additional information they may know.
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