Shootings at Maryland universities, SU and UMES Adapting
EASTERN SHORE, Md. – Two different shootings at Maryland universities this month, one at Morgan State, another at Bowie State over the weekend. With students injured campuses are on high alert, and it’s been less than a month since an off campus shooting occurred involving Salisbury University students.
While there haven’t been any incidents involving SU since, some students still have concerns in light of more recent shootings at colleges across Maryland.
“I think it is terrifying hearing about the shootings in Maryland and how it could possibly happen here.”
In light of recent gun violence at college universities, and even a mile from Salisbury University’s Campus, students are scared that their safety is in jeopardy. Abigail Scymanski is one of those students, and she is a senior living off campus.
“Some fears and concerns I have is getting a call and hearing about one of my friends being shot and hurt or possibly killed.”
Some students want to know what is being done by the University to protect the students.
“Even though it is off campus, it involves Salisbury University students, and I think more awareness needs to be raised and more safety guidelines that should be around and protect the students,” said Abigail Scymanski.
SU Faculty wants students to know that their concerns have been heard and are being addressed.
Eli Modlin with the university’s Public Affairs and Strategic Initiatives says they are taking another look at the safety measures in place for students, faculty and staff.
“Our hearts go out to the students, the campus communities that have been affected by the recent violence that has happened in Maryland and across the country.”
“Just recently, our chief of police served on a group with a number of groups of chief of police around the state and at college universities to share some of the best practices and exchange information on what they are seeing and how we can best keep our campus community safe.”
“Our students in particular feel very safe on campus, but we also recognize that our students, our faculty, our staff live in spaces beyond the walls of campus, so we are really working with our allied law enforcement agencies to help increase the potential patrols around campus and in the surrounding community,” Modlin said.
Some freshmen on campus, like Eric Marshal, have heard about the gun violence off campus, but feel comfortable living in the dorms.
“I have heard a lot about this campus being the safest part of Salisbury in general, so I have not seen anything on campus or too close to campus, but are aware of the dangers, but on campus, I feel safe.”
SU Administrators told 47ABCthat these increased patrols will occur during the night on days where students are most active in the city of Salisbury.
UMES administrators released a statement saying, “we have added more security cameras and personnel to our extensive safety protocols and we remain vigilant in our enforcement of weapons violations.”
They also said they will work with student leadership to deter violence from happening by defusing the situation. They said “we view UMES as our home and appreciate the efforts our students, faculty and staff are making to keep our home as safe as possible.”
