Safety policy failed UW researcher Griego

Rebecca Griego took numerous precautions to keep her former boyfriend from finding her before he shot her to death at work Monday, but University of Washington police and her colleagues failed to follow school policies designed to protect women in her position, school officials acknowledged Thursday.

The UW employees who didn't take action aren't likely to be reprimanded, said university spokesman Norm Arkans, who defended the employees' response.

	Griego

"They were doing the best they thought they could do to help this very valued colleague," he said. "You know, hindsight is perfect."

Adriana Johnson, who worked with Griego in Gould Hall, said pictures of Griego's ex-boyfriend, Jonathan Rowan, were provided to co-workers and a restraining order police wanted to serve against him was in Griego's office. Her colleagues even supported Griego working from home for the past two weeks.

Rowan killed her in her office on her second day back and then shot himself to death, university officials said.

University supervisors are required to contact the Human Resources consultant about violent incidents or threats, such as those made by Rowan. School policy states a supervisor must speak in person to a consultant who can develop a safety plan with the university's workplace violence-prevention assessment team.

	Mike Urban / P-I
UW student Patrick Dwyer looks at plywood cutouts representing women who were raped or victims of domestic violence. The display was part of Take Back the Night at the UW Tuesday.

The university created the workplace violence prevention assessment team after a pathology resident killed his mentor and them himself in June 2000.

"What they would have done is go down sort of a checklist and examine her working environment and see if they could perhaps make it more secure from an intruder," Arkans said. "But the Human Resources Department was unaware of this situation, basically."

The university requires that supervisors be informed about the steps human resources can take to prevent domestic violence. Arkans didn't know if Griego's co-workers knew about resources the department could provide.

Mindy Kornberg, the university's vice president of human resources, declined to comment Thursday.

"You cannot reduce risk to zero," Arkans said. "You can take steps to reduce risk."

University police have taken steps to confirm Rowan's identity, though it's looking more likely that Rowan was his actual name, Assistant Chief Ray Wittmier said. Investigators have also contacted authorities in England, where they now believe he has relatives, possibly a brother and sister.

But little word about Rowan has surfaced from overseas. Reporters for The Times in London have not found immediate family or criminal history for the man who resided in Rochdale, a city of about 95,000 north of Manchester, England.

A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman said Rowan arrived legally at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport in March 1996, carrying a visa waiver he obtained as a British citizen. That allowed him to stay in the country for 90 days.

After the 90-day visa waiver expired, Rowan remained in the U.S. He was here illegally when police arrested him for drunken driving June 30, 2006. City law prohibits Seattle police from asking about immigration status unless there's probable cause that someone is here illegally.

The arresting officer learned he did not have a valid driver's license, but found "an old (Washington) ID card" and Rowan claimed to have a European license.

Department of Licensing records show Jonathan Ghulam-Nabi Rowan had a Washington state ID card, which expired in 2011. The cards are valid for five years and his would have expired on March 13, 2011 -- Rowan's birthday. Federal law prevents licensing officials from talking about invalid licenses.

"It is possible for illegal immigrants to get IDs," spokesman Brad Benfield said. "The state requires enough proof of identification to prove who you are and that you live in Washington state. ... If he didn't have a valid passport, it would probably still be considered along with other acceptable forms of identification."

Police have said Rowan had at least two fake passports, and acquaintances described him as a computer whiz.

Immigration agents prepared an administrative immigration warrant for Rowan's arrest after he violated his visa waiver, but Rowan eluded them.

Arkans said that after police conclude their investigation of Griego's murder, UW officials plan to re-examine the incident.

"We will look at all aspects of how we responded," he said. "We will look at what things we can put in place to improve resources that are available to further minimize the risk of these things happening again."

HOW TO HELP

An endowed scholarship fund is being established in Rebecca Griego's memory. Contributions to the fund may be directed to the Development Office, College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Box 355726, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195.

SERVICE PLANNED

A memorial service is being planned by the College of Architecture and Urban Planning.

Details are expected to be posted on www.caup.washington.edu when completed. Statement from the family of Rebecca Griego and UW President Mark Emmert:

Two families lost a dearly beloved member this week -- the family and friends of Rebecca Griego, and our University family, of which Rebecca was a cherished member. Much attention has been focused on the terrible event that occurred earlier this week in an effort to understand what happened. It is important to do so, but it is also important not to lose sight of Rebecca and the gifts she brought to all who knew her.

Rebecca's family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to everyone who loved and supported her and to everyone who has supported them during this very difficult time. "Rebecca was an amazing woman whose grace, elegance, strength and compassion will be greatly missed," said the family. "We wish for her to be remembered for the person she was, not for the tragedy that took her from us. However, this tragedy has brought to everyone's attention the struggle too many in our community face. We fervently hope that others in similar situations can find the help they need to protect themselves, and that Rebecca's story can be a catalyst for positive action."

Rebecca was a graduate of the University of Washington, a talented and dedicated member of our staff of the Runstad Center for Real Estate Studies, and a mentor and friend to many. She was deeply committed to students and worked hard to mentor and nurture them. She developed learning materials and prepared tutorials for them, always working to enhance their learning experience. Her contributions to the research program in the Center were sophisticated and reflected the rigorous standards she set for herself. She was the glue that held so many aspects of the Center's programs together, the epicenter of much of the activity that has made the Center a true academic home for its students.

"Though I did not have the privilege of knowing Rebecca," said UW President Mark Emmert, "the picture that emerges of her is of a brilliant, energetic, vital force helping our students accomplish their educational objectives. She was an exemplar of the best we can offer in guidance and assistance as our students navigate their way towards their careers. Her loss is deeply felt by all who knew her and all whose lives she touched and improved. It is a great loss for the University community, and we are partners in grief with her family."

To honor Rebecca, an endowed scholarship fund is being established in her memory. Contributions to the fund may be directed to the Development Office, College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Box 355726, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195. A memorial service is being planned by the College of Architecture and Urban Planning. Details will be available from its web site once they are finalized.

Domestic violence affects all of us. The UW community has resources in place to help. The UW Women's Center's Violence Prevention Program provides a wealth of services, including educational programs, self-defense classes, workshops, information and referral, and the Violence Prevention Resource Center, located in a safe and quiet place. The Center is located in Cunningham Hall can be reached by calling 206-685-1090.

Other campus resources include the Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence Information Service (SARIS), a free, confidential starting point for students seeking information about sexual assault and relationship violence. SARIS can be contacted via telephone at 206-685-HELP or via email at saris@u.washington.edu. Faculty and staff may contact CARELINK for immediate phone assistance or to schedule an individual appointment at 866-598-3978. The University's Counseling Center is available to students; appointments can be scheduled by calling 206-543-1240 or by stopping by the Center at 401 Schmitz Hall.