Homecoming week started on Sunday and several of Morgan State University’s upperclassmen have mixed feelings as the week progresses.
Homecoming week will include more than a dozen events and the university administration released its security plan on Friday, Sept. 27. Since last year’s shooting, Morgan has taken strides to improve campus security and combat the violence its community has experienced during homecoming for three homecomings.
“I feel like Morgan is making more of an effort now, just because the previous shooting was categorized as a mass shooting,” said Mackenzie Curtis, a senior multi-platform production major. “Because it was in the news, Morgan wants to do better with its security.”
Curtis’s feelings echo those of several upperclassmen, who also spoke of their concerns as they prepare for this year’s long-awaited festivities, which still remind them of events from previous years.
Kalid Varrett, a junior construction major at the university, has seen the trend of crime-related incidents during homecoming firsthand. Varret said he remembered something for the first time — during his freshman year.
“My freshman year someone got stabbed. There were multiple fights and last year it ended short because of a shooting,” Varrett said. “I feel like being an open campus is a negative, especially for homecoming with so many people.They are going to need to put police at every spot.”
The university’s security plan will include more than 200 police officers, security officers and third party personnel to ensure safety during this year’s homecoming. This police and security presence adds to the university’s available security technology: drone(s) to monitor campus, thousands of camera views and an active weapon-detection software to monitor university camera views.
“I think the situation last year made Morgan wake up and implement measures to keep us safe,” said Curtis. “I just hate that something terrible has to happen for us to get serious about safety.”
The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 prevented any homecoming activities that year and every year since, Morgan’s upperclassmen have experienced a major event during the festivities. Many upperclassmen still grapple with mixed feelings about upcoming festivities.
Although not an upperclassman, sophomore biology-premed major Kamaya Adams voiced some of the same concerns. Adams said the shooting during last year’s homecoming has made her more cautious this year.
“It was my first homecoming and this happens so it was really unfortunate and I wasn’t happy about it,” said Adams. “It has made me hesitant in all of my decisions for this homecoming week. Instead of continuously sending out emails, somebody needs to talk to us about our safety.”
Among the emails Adams mentioned was the safety and security plan Lance Hatcher, Morgan’s chief of police, shared last week. It detailed the university’s plan for preventing crime and responding to any emergency.
However, safety concerns among students include more than an increased security presence.
“It starts with the fact that this is an open campus and it shouldn’t be, especially in the middle of Baltimore. That’s not safe,” said Adams.
Despite Morgan’s recent history with shootings, some students intend to participate and feel reassured by Morgan’s security measures.
Ariah Rogers, a sophomore biology-premed major, said she plans to make the best of homecoming this year because she has not experienced one yet.
“I do plan on attending, just because I don’t want last year’s experience to hinder my overall experience here at Morgan,” Rogers said. “I believe Morgan has upped their security so I feel pretty safe and excited for this year.”
As homecoming continues, students are mindful of past incidents and the greater Morgan community hopes for a safe conclusion to this year’s activities
