University Won’t Evict Woman Who Pulled Knife on Alleged Rapist

A woman who used a knife to chase her alleged rapist from a college dormitory won’t be evicted from San Francisco State housing for having a weapon, a college official said Wednesday.

The decision came just hours before a planned demonstration in support of the unidentified 18-year-old resident of Mary Ward Hall.

“Possession of weapons violates housing rules. However, taking into consideration the full circumstances of the case, we will allow the student to remain in the residence hall,” said Penny Saffold, dean of students.

The alleged rape occurred Feb. 4. The woman told police she met two young male nonstudents, ages 15 and 19, on campus and invited them to her dorm room, where they drank alcohol.

She said the two men raped her, and she then grabbed a knife with a 5-inch blade and chased one of them down a hall. School authorities described the knife as a weapon, not a kitchen knife.

Police arrested the two youths, but the woman later declined to press charges.

At a hearing last week, she was told she faced possible eviction for possessing a weapon and drinking. Both are prohibited in the dorm, said campus Police Chief Kimberly Wible.