SAVANNAH — Officials at Savannah State University have been trying to quell student concerns that their campus is not safe, following the shooting death of a 22-year-old junior during an altercation in the school’s Student Union building last Thursday.
“Savannah State University is a safe place for our students to attend,” said Dr. Cheryl Dozier, president of the oldest HBCU in Georgia. “Each of our students’ lives are precious and valued.”
The campus was placed on lockdown on Thursday night and the university delayed the start of classes and brought in grief counselors on Friday. To calm fears, university officials also sent students, staff and faculty members an announcement saying that they had beefed up security efforts across campus.
“The safety of those who live, study, work and visit Savannah State University remains a top priority ― no exceptions,” the statement read. “Savannah State University has zero tolerance for violence of any kind. If students are aware of the presence of weapons, please think and act responsibly to disclose such information to a member of the faculty, staff or administration, or other figure of authority. While it may be natural to want to protect an associate, the lack of disclosure may do more harm than good in the long run.”
Still, the on-campus shooting of Christopher Starks, a mass communications student from the Atlanta area, has been unsettling for students who recently returned to campus for a new academic school year.
The shooting also has called into question the safety at HBCUs in general, particularly those situated in urban areas.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigations said that the campus shooting was a result of an argument that turned deadly. The suspect is still at large and no arrests have been made.
