Howard students and faculty are awaiting details on how the university will ensure safety and manage operations on Election Day, given Howard alumna Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential run. Official plans have yet to be solidified, however, Howard’s Office of University Communications has shared that discussions are underway.
Lydia G. Sermons, vice president of communications and chief communications officer for Howard explained that the current focus is on homecoming at the moment.
“Plans for Election Day are still under discussion,” she said. “We are not able to share any information until those plans have been finalized.”
She added that plans might not be confirmed until after the university’s homecoming celebrations.
“However,” she said. “We will provide information regarding plans for the campus once that information becomes available.”
The Hilltop reached out to campus security contractor Allied Universal and Howard’s Department of Public Safety for a comment, but both declined, citing that they are focusing on the university’s upcoming homecoming events.
While Howard’s administration discusses the logistics, students have begun to share their feelings about safety on campus during the 2024 presidential election season. Some have expressed confidence, while others called for increased security measures.
Students like Micah Halley, a sophomore criminology major, from Snellville, Georgia, emphasized the need for stronger security measures.
“I definitely want them to beef up on security. Have someone at each dormitory, like have beefed up security at every dormitory,” she said. “And definitely have eyes on The Yard at all times.”
Cecil Deering, an administrative assistant for the Sociology and Criminology department, shared similar concerns to the students, calling for more visible security on campus.
“With everything that’s happened in recent years,” he said. “It’s just we want to make sure that we have enough security not only to protect the students but the staff as well.”
An English professor, who preferred to remain anonymous due to fear of termination, also shared that students in their class have repeatedly expressed concern about campus safety.
“I hear most of my students when we talk about these issues, they actually say they don’t feel very safe on campus,” the professor said.
With these concerns extending to Election Day, the professor hopes that measures will be put in place to ensure the safety of students, faculty and professors throughout the day.
Some other students, however, don’t share the same sentiments and instead feel that the university is capable of taking the necessary precautions.
“The emotional safety of students is a serious concern. Even if there isn’t a violent attack, the media discourse and social media can weigh heavily on us,” Glenn Miller said.
Miller, a second-year PhD student in political science at Howard, expressed confidence in the university’s response to potential threats during election season.
He suggested that the university consider mental health days around the election, noting that “it would give students, faculty and staff a chance to vote while also addressing emotional well-being.”
Reflecting on his experience as a student at Howard during the midterm elections, he said, “When we received bomb threats during the midterms, Howard handled them well. They evacuated the named buildings and put the students’ interests first.”
Copy edited by Camiryn Stepteau
