The Morgan State University Board of Regents approved the implementation of police body-worn cameras during its Feb. 3 meeting, citing the need to improve campus “safety and transparency” as the university considers expanding athletics and continues to face housing pressures tied to enrollment growth.

The 13 members present voted to establish the program for the Morgan State University Police Department (MSUPD), ahead of a Maryland law, requiring all law enforcement agencies to implement body-worn camera programs by July 2025.

Regents raised concerns about the rising enrollment,

“One of the things that you learned around the issue of that growth is that there was a disproportionate share of them who are out of state,” said regent Shirley Malcolm. “And so that means that we have incredible pressures on us being able to offer housing.”

Three of the four action items discussed focused on addressing the housing shortage, including a non-binding letter of intent involving the Lord Baltimore Hotel, which Morgan has previously leased for student housing.

“Even with all of the building that we are doing, and renovation that we’re doing…It’s quite clear that we’re going to have to have leases for some time, especially if we continue to trend with these kinds of enrollment increases,” said Malcolm.

In other business, the Student Government Association reported it is conducting a comprehensive review of its constitution, implementing new campaign guidelines for training candidates and outlined initiatives for each student classification.

The university has also announced the addition of a men’s and women’s golf team which is expected to join the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) by 2027, and plans to survey students to gauge interest in further athletics expansion.