JSU Official: Campus is Safe

Jackson State University has seen its share of violence over the past few years.

In August of 2005, a student was shot on the first floor of the student union.  In January of 2010, a faculty member was shot in a campus parking lot.  Both survived.  JSU officials tell us the school is making security strides to keep students safe.

"This administration is working very diligently to continue the efforts to make it safe," says Curtis Johnson, JSU's Director of Support Services and Emergency Management.

According to safety records, from 2006-2009, JSU reported fewer than a dozen robberies, five aggravated assaults and two rapes.  Over the last two years, the university has spent upwards of $1 million to improve safety.

"We've increased the number of police officers, the number of security," says Johnson, "we've installed a number of cameras, we've improved our lighting, we've added fencing."

There are now cameras everywhere you look.  If a student ever feels threatened, they can push the button on one of many emergency call boxes spread across campus to get help.

"We have officers patrolling at all time, so it just depends on where and when it happens, but usually within 3-5 minutes, we're there," explains Johnson.

Students we spoke with say they feel safe at Jackson State.

"I do feel like security will respond in a timely manner," says JSU student, Dominique McCraney.

"When I first got to Jackson State, they made us feel like this is a home environment," agrees student, Marcus Yates. "So it was like when you know so many people here and when you're around people so much, just no choice but to feel safe."

Because of the Clery Act passed in 1989, all colleges and universities that participate in federal financial aid programs are required to keep an open record of crimes on and near the campuses.  Schools must report those statistics to the US Department of Education.  The department makes those lists available on it's website.

Campuses in Mississippi appear to have fewer problems than other campuses around the country.  In one survey, Ole Miss is ranked as 39th safest in the nation.