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By Colleen Long, Associated Press, 09/13/02

BOULDER, Colo. -- University of Colorado students in three dormitories are on edge after peepholes were discovered in several bathroom walls over a six-month period.

The most recent cases involved three peepholes that were drilled through housekeeping closet walls next to men's and women's bathrooms in Cheyenne Arapaho and Baker halls.

"The school is handling it well and I'm personally not scared," said Baker resident Summer Moore, 18. "But other students are really worried. Some are scared to shower."

University officials have arrested a construction worker in one case. They also have stepped up security by requiring weekly dorm inspections, identification cards to get into utility closets and picture IDs for all visitors.

"We're just devastated," Housing Director Deb Coffin said. "We're up all night thinking about what else we can do to keep our students safe."

The first peepholes were found last spring drilled through four utility closets next to a women's bathroom at Farrand Hall.

Campus police arrested contract construction worker Michael D. Hall, 29, who told investigators he looked through the holes and watched women shower. He pleaded innocent to burglary and sexual assault charges and is set for trial Nov. 9.

Last week, maintenance workers conducting inspections found the three latest peepholes.

Campus police spokesman Sgt. Tim McGraw said investigators do not believe Hall is responsible for those holes, but they cannot rule him out.

Nine women who lived in Farrand Hall have filed notice of intent to sue the university for failing to warn them earlier.

Coffin said a security consultant has been hired to evaluate safety, and surveillance equipment may be installed in dorms.

But "we're also worried about student privacy," she said. "We don't want them to be thinking there's a Big Brother watching over them."

Katie Chipko, 17, said: "It's unsettling, that's for sure. But it's not like I'm going to stop going into bathrooms because of it."