The following is a communication to the campus community from UVM  
Chief of Police Gary Margolis to alert you to an incident, to promote  
safety on campus and, in part, to comply with the Jeanne Clery  
Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act  
of 1990. It is being distributed through a listserv reserved for  
priority and emergency communications. You cannot leave this list.
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To the University Community:

The Burlington Police Department, the lead agency investigating the suspicious
disappearance of UVM student Michelle Gardner-Quinn, today issued the  
following news release:

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Monday ? October 9, 2006 ? Initial News Release

*Michelle Gardner Quinn* was last seen during the early morning hours  
of Saturday October 7th in the downtown area of Burlington. A more  
specific location is currently unavailable.

Michelle is 21 years of age, 5 feet 8 inches tall, and approximately  
135 pounds. She has a stud piercing in her nose and was last seen  
wearing a gray peacoat, green button-up cardigan sweater, light blue  
t-shirt, and a black Puma purse with white straps.

Investigators have been working around the clock following leads. No  
specific suspects have been identified.

We consider Michelle?s disappearance to be highly suspicious and time  
is essential as this investigation enters its third day.

Burlington Police have sought and are receiving the assistance of  
Federal, State, and local agencies to ensure that all available  
resources are brought to bear in this case.  UVM Police Services has  
assigned two detectives to the investigation team.

We are seeking the public?s assistance in a number of ways. Burlington  
Police would like to hear from you if:

1. If you had contact with Michelle during the evening or early  
morning hours of Saturday October 8th to Sunday October 9th .

2. You have information about the following vehicle ? considered a  
vehicle of interest/a preliminary lead that *may or may not be related  
to this case* ?

?	A white ?Subaru-type? hatchback (PLEASE STRESS this may not be a  
Subaru model but a Subaru type vehicle) with gold trim/ a gold  
pinstripe. The license plate of this vehicle was likely a green  
Vermont tag and was bent up at the bottom

?	The male driver of this vehicle ? who is described as a white male,  
in his 20?s, with short cropped light blonde hair, no facial hair but  
a days growth (5 o?clock shadow). He may be about 6? tall with a  
muscular build and one nostril may be slightly larger than the other.  
He was wearing a gray hoodie type sweatshirt and light colored  
baseball cap.

?	The operator of this vehicle spoke to a female on North Winooski  
Avenue near the Salvation Army at approximately 2:35 am on Sunday  
morning and asked her to get into the vehicle.

?	The vehicle was last seen turning toward Interval Avenue from North  
Winooski Avenue.

3. On our website there is a link to a missing person flyer, which  
contains a photograph of Michelle. Anyone interested in printing and  
distributing those flyers in your neighborhoods is encouraged to do  
so.  (www.bpdvt.org)

4. Anyone interested in searching the vicinity of their home or their  
neighborhood for items of interest, such as personal belongings or  
clothing described above should report findings to the Burlington  
Police at 802-658-2700. Please do not manipulate the items before  
calling police.

5. If you have ANY other information about this case.

Contact information for Burlington Police is 802-658-2700.

More information will be released via the media and our website WWW.BPDVT.ORG
<http://www.bpdvt.org/> as soon as it becomes available.

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It is understandable if information about this case raises concerns  
about the safety of our students. While we always place student health  
and safety at the top of our priority list, and we take a proactive  
approach through ongoing outreach and education programs, this  
situation also provides us with an opportunity to remind our community  
about personal safety and crime prevention information.

Following is an excerpt from the Safety and Crime Prevention section  
of our web site:

WHEN YOU ARE WALKING:

?	Body language counts! Walk with confidence. Show that you are aware  
and in control
?	Whenever possible, walk with at least one other person
?	Use well lit, well traveled routes. Consider using public  
transportation after dark
?	When approaching your car or your door, get your keys out in  
advance. Don't fumble for your keys at the door
?	Consider carrying a small, readily available, high-intensity flash light
?	If you feel that you are being followed look directly at the person,  
awareness is often a deterrent
?	If a follower persists, head toward a well lit, occupied area and  
call the police (9-1-1)
?	Ensure that your cell phone is charged before you head out.
?	Call and let someone know that you?re leaving, your travel route,  
and when they should expect to hear from you that you?ve arrived.

We are scheduling a campus forum for this week and will notify you of  
a date, time and location in the near future.  Most likely, it will  
happen on Tuesday night, Oct 10.

For information on reporting crime, crime prevention, personal safety,  
and a complete listing of campus alerts, please visit  
www.uvm.edu/police.

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"Crime Awareness" is an integral component of "crime prevention."   
Knowledge that crimes occur encourages communities to actively  
participate in crime prevention efforts (e.g., locking doors, walking  
in well lit areas at night with others, reporting suspicious activity  
to police) and, therefore, creates a safer environment. Lack of  
information invites complacency.