A Housing and Dining employee was recently terminated by NIU and arrested following allegations of burglary, extortion and voyeurism stemming from his former job at the University of Akron.

Shaun Harkness, 28 of Western Springs, Ill., is charged with 10 counts of burglary, two counts of extortion and two counts of voyeurism while he was employed at UA, according to the Akron Beacon Journal. Harkness is facing charges for entering female students’ rooms without consent, stealing photographs and placing a camera in a women’s shower in a UA building, according to the Beacon.

The situation was brought to police attention when a UA student reported receiving threatening e-mails regarding stolen photos from Harkness to the UA police shortly before he left UA, according to an e-mail sent out to UA students from Charles Fey, vice president of Student Affairs at the University of Akron.

The UA police contacted NIU concerning the situation, bringing forth an investigation that led to Harkness’ termination at NIU, Fey said.

Harkness was arrested Oct. 21 on charges of intimidation and telecommunications harassment. UA Police Chief Paul Callahan said NIU Police found on Harkness’ computer videos of female UA students taking showers, according to the Beacon.

Harkness did not possess a criminal record at the time he was hired at UA, according to Fey’s e-mail.

In response to the incident, UA increased security in residence halls by inspecting bathroom and shower areas regularly and installing combination locks for shower areas; only residents receive the combinations, Fey said.

Harkness remains listed as “Housing and Dining Staff” in the NIU phone directory as of Nov. 12.

Dr. Brian Hemphill, NIU vice president of Student Affairs, declined to comment, saying only “this is a personnel matter.”

All comments are moderated before being published. We will not edit your comments, but we also will not approve those that are abusive, off-topic, attack another poster or contain information we know to be libelous or false.

During peak weekday viewing times, most comments will be reviewed within six hours. For more detailed information, click here.

After submitting your comment, check below for a confirmation message.

• Your name:
• Enter text from image:
  

• Your comment:

* 300-character count. HTML formatting will not display.