Lockwood Masturbator

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The "Lockwood Masturbator" is a notorious UB campus legend about a man (or men) caught masturbating in public at Lockwood Memorial Library. This story has circulated among students since the early 2000s, often as a cautionary or darkly comedic tale. The legend's origins stem from real incidents, in that at least one confirmed arrest for public lewdness did occur in Lockwood Library. According to UB student discussions, an episode "was big news [in the] early 2000[s]" when a person was caught masturbating on Lockwood's upper floors.

One alumnus recalled that a friend found a news report of a confirmed arrest, suggesting that a perpetrator had indeed been detained by campus police back then. University Police and campus media records support this - for example, The Spectrum reported in 1993 that a man (identified by the surname Jones) was charged with public lewdness and trespass after exposing himself on Lockwood Library's fourth floor. Such reports indicate that at least in the 90s and early 2000s, there were instances of individuals (often unaffiliated with UB) committing indecent acts in the library.

Over time, these incidents merged into the singular legend of "The Lockwood Masturbator." In its most popular form, the story claims a lone man would habitually visit Lockwood Library to masturbate, until eventually caught by the authorities. Students often share this tale in a humorous tone - as both as a gross-out story and a reminder to be vigilant in isolated study spaces. Details are often exaggerated or unclear, which is typical of campus legends. Some versions describe multiple incidents across different years, while others portray a single prolific offender.

Campus Discussion and Status

Within UB's student forums (especially r/UBreddit), the Lockwood Masturbator is a frequently referenced piece of NSFW campus lore. Students regularly ask if the story is "urban legend or real," prompting older UB community members to recount what they remember. In one Reddit thread titled "Lockwood Masturbator - urban legend?", an alumnus from the early 2000s confirms the basics - it was widely talked about during their time at UB and at least one arrest was documented. Others chime in with rumors they heard, like whether the individual was a student or an outsider.

The consensus is that while the legend has been embellished, it originated from genuine incidents of sexual misconduct in the library. University Police data show that complaints of "public lewdness" do occasionally occur at Lockwood even in recent times. In 2021 to 2022, for example, a UBPD report noted an incident in Lockwood among a handful of lewdness and exposure complaints across campus.

The university's response to such incidents follows a standard procedure - if a perpetrator is identified and is not a student, they are arrested and issued a permanent ban from the university and campus. If they are a student, they face arrest or referral to the Office of Student Conduct.

Influence on Campus Culture

The Lockwood Masturbator legend persists as part of UB's offbeat campus culture. It is often mentioned alongside other legends. The story's longevity can be attributed to the relatable setting (a library where many study, offering comfortable vibes) combined with the outrageous behavior described. Some students share the story as a joke when warning friends to avoid certain deserted corners of the library.