A Message from the President

August 29, 2023

Update on Campus Safety Incident

Today, the Bowie State University campus is safe and secure and increased police presence will be visible.  As a follow-up to the BEES alert on Monday evening, the campus remains vigilant following reports of two armed robberies on campus last night. The cases are under investigation by the Bowie State University Campus Police with the assistance of county and state law enforcement resources.

The investigation has revealed that two Bowie State students were robbed at gunpoint between 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., one walking near Kennard Hall and another walking in the parking lot behind the Christa McAuliffe Residential Community. Additionally, the car of a food delivery driver parked behind Haley Hall was stolen and used in the second robbery. No injuries were reported.

While we have taken many precautions to protect the safety of the BSU campus, the university is requesting all members of the campus to help in protecting yourselves and the campus community.

We are a microcosm of the larger community around us and visitors can freely access the campus. In the wake of this incident the university is securing additional officers from our partner police agencies to enhance visible patrols around the campus. Upgrades to the campus-wide camera surveillance system are already in progress. More information about campus safety services and reports can be found on their website.

Counseling services are available to any students impacted by these events. Schedule an appointment for services from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at 301-860-4169 or by email at counselingservices@bowiestate.edu. Appointments can be made for in-person, telephone or video sessions.

What You Can Do

We are asking the support of every student, faculty and staff member to be part of our defense by immediately reporting any suspicious persons or activity that you notice by calling campus safety at 301-860-4040.  Each individual should also do the following:

• Always wear your BSU ID card on campus – This helps us quickly identify that you are a member of our community. You can get lanyards and ID card holders from the Bulldog Card Office in the Student Center, and a replacement card if needed.
• Do not try to circumvent the perimeter gate system – Only one entrance to the campus, at the Loop Road guard house, is open at night.
• Request an escort to walk with you to your car at night – This service is provided by Campus Safety. Call 301-860-4040
• Sign up for BEES Alerts to make sure you get text and email notifications of emergencies on campus – Register each year at https://bowie.omnilert.net/subscriber.php
• Participate in emergency response training sessions – Active shooter and other emergency training with be available each semester.
• If you are a victim of a crime, immediately call 301-860-4040 or activate one of the Blue Light phones across campus to notify police.

Each of us must take responsibility to be knowledgeable about the resources available to protect our safety and to be vigilant to alert police to any perceived threats that may arise. The safety and well-being of our campus community is paramount in the operations of our historic university.  Thank you for helping to keep our community safe.