As Morgan State University alumni returned to their alma mater for Homecoming weekend, The Spokesman spoke with several about this year’s celebration and the new safety protocols.
Outside Morgan State’s North Campus parking garage, alumnae Karen Allen-Smith (Class of 1990), Burnedette Cannady (Class of 1979) and Peggy Hughes (Class of 1980) said they were encouraged by the sight of a parking lot full of police squad cars and a Maryland State Police mobile incident command center.
“It makes me feel really good,” said Allen-Smith said. “I’ve seen more security lights on campus.”
For Allen-Smith, the enhanced security—particularly from local and state law enforcement—signaled that the university was moving in the right direction for both safety and financial stability.
“I was in the group in 1990 that did the sit-in,” said Allen-Smith. “We sat in to demand that Morgan get the funds we were due because we were underfunded compared to other state universities.”
In March 1990, Morgan students organized a six-day sit-in and class boycott to demand better campus conditions and increased state funding. The protest led to a $577 million settlement benefiting Maryland’s underfunded historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
“Seeing all of the improvements and the growth on campus, and seeing Northwood Commons compared to the old Northwood Plaza, feels really good,” said Allen-Smith.
As alumni gathered on campus under heightened security and an earlier curfew than ever before, many expressed support for the university’s decision to ensure what it called a “safe and joyous” homecoming experience.
In an email to students and staff on Sept. 26, Morgan’s leadership announced new safety measures aimed at curbing the “serious incidents” that have occurred during homecoming since 2021.
In 2023, five people—including four students—were shot shortly after the homecoming coronation ceremony. The university canceled the concert, pep rally and parade that year in response.
“For this reason, along with the increased threats Morgan and other HBCUs have recently experienced, the university is implementing new safety measures during Homecoming 2025,” the message read. “All on-campus, homecoming-related activities will conclude at 5 p.m. on Homecoming Day.”
This year’s precautions followed earlier security upgrades. In 2024, with $2.9 million from the Maryland Higher Education Commission’s campus safety grant, Morgan invested more than $20 million to upgrade security cameras, increase police staffing and install new barriers around campus.
“I’m not opposed to extra security,” said J.B. Edwards (Class of 1989). “I like the presence of the extra security around.”
Edwards, who met with classmates near the McKeldin Center, said he understood the reasoning behind the earlier closure but worried it could deter alumni participation.
“I understand the reasoning because of the incidents over the past couple of years,” he said. “But it’s going to be a little detrimental to alumni turnout.”
“Several people I know said they wouldn’t come back because the hours were changed,” he added.
Other alumni, such as Peter Harvey (Class of 1979), said the curfew was an unfortunate but necessary response to outsiders causing disruptions.
“It’s a temporary measure because you have a lot of knuckleheads running around who are not Morgan students or alumni, and are engaging in aggressive and violent acts on our campus,” Harvey said. “We have to protect our student body and alumni from these miscreants who come on campus and engage in violence, particularly with guns.”
Harvey said he hopes Morgan continues working with law enforcement beyond homecoming weekend.
“I think it’s a prudent measure for now,” he said. “The Baltimore Police should work collaboratively with the Morgan State Police to ensure layers of protection, particularly for our young people.”
“You have to choose safety first,” Harvey added. “And I think most alumni and students would say, if it takes closing the campus a little earlier for us to be better protected, then so be it.”
